Biz X magazine April 2018

YOUR ONLY INTERNATIONAL BORDER CITY PUBLICATION

Special Lifestyle Coverage: Google Home, Alexa And Nest; Comfort Mobility Inc. Home Health Care; Tepperman’s Family Values And Great Lakes Technical Training It’s Baaack! “Windsor Hum” Returns, Source Remains Elusive Milestone Celebrations As Running Factory Turns 25 And The Rotary Club of Windsor (1918) Hits The Big 100

April 2018

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Read All About The “Celebrity Men Fashion Event”; See You There Hand Crafted Invitations; Old Dutch Guys Chocolate and

WWW.BIZXMAGAZINE.COM

“Get Smart!”

It’s time to get smart about the technology you integrate into your daily life and home.

Learn how to embrace the future today. — Page 18

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FOR BUSINESSES AND PEOPLE IN WINDSOR, ESSEX COUNT Y AND METRO DETROIT

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B IZ X M A G A Z IN E • A P R IL 2 0 1 8

table of contents April 2018 volume 21 • issue 4

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4 Funny Stuff 5 From The Publisher: The Search Is On For Nurse Of The Year 6 Editorial Viewpoint: A Hum Dinger Secret With the return of the “Windsor Hum” late last year, speculation has intensified that the source is Zug Island’s U.S. Steel operations (see top photo by Rod Denis). Columnist Alan Halberstadt examines why nobody has filed a class action suit against the alleged culprit.

8 Front Lines 11 Event Profile: The Kidney Foundation of Canada “Celebrity Men Fashion Event” 12 Milestones: Running Factory Marks 25 Years 13 Heard On The Street 14 Newsflash 16 Dates To Remember 26 Generation YKNOT: Google Home, Alexa & Nest 27 Have A Cup Of Joe With Joe: Great Lakes Technical Training 29 Take The Lead: What Makes Tepperman’s Successful?

30 Portfolio Corner 31 Corporate Spotlight: The Windsor-Essex Capital Angel Network 32 Food For Thought: Old Dutch Guys Chocolate To quote Forest Gump, “Momma always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” But when you visit the Old Dutch Guys Chocolate shop in Kingsville there will always be 24 flavours of truffles waiting for your arrival! (Middle photo of chocolate display cases courtesy of Cor Boon).

34 Hot Shots: 20th Annual In Honour Of The Ones We Love Gala 38 Making A Sound Living: The Mother Of All Trade Shows — “NAMM” 41 XX Files: Judene McCalla, See You There Hand-Crafted Invitations 42 Hot Shots: Inc. WEST’s “International Women’s Day Gala” Every year on this special day, Women’s Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor (WEST) celebrates this international event to honour outstanding women and men in the local community. Biz X photographer Rod Denis had his camera in hand to get a few shots of those in attendance, including one of the many 2018 event sponsors, (pictured at left), Peter Blanken, CEO of On Site Services (IT consulting, integration and maintenance services) who was “on site” at the gala with his wife Beth.

44 From The Bookshelf : “No Kids Required” Book Launch 45 The Way It Was: A Century Of Service, The Rotary Club of Windsor (1918) 46 Biz Of The Month: Comfort Mobility Inc. Home Health Care

ON THE COVER — “Get Smart!” — 18

Maxwell Smart, secret agent in the 1960’s TV show, “Get Smart” would sure be impressed when he sees what his shoe phone can do these days! The rate at which everyday home technology is advancing is incredible. Smart technology, Wi-Fi capabilities, Internet accessibility, and the instinctive desire of mankind to accomplish more on their own terms and schedule are the driving force behind these advancements. The sky is the limit as we embrace the future of Smart technology in our homes.

Photo credit: © Can Stock Photo/stockcreations B IZ X M A G A Z IN E • A P R IL 2 0 1 8

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BROUGHT TO YOU BY

FUNNY STUFF!

“It’s Raining Cats And Dogs!”

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Have a laugh or two with our funny pet pictures. Send your photos to deborah@bizxmagazine.com and it may be included here in an upcoming issue. Make sure it gives our readers a chuckle!

Did someone say “road trip” to Charm and Picco?

“Striving to provide our readers with a quality magazine that contains accurate information about the businesses and people that shape our border cities; and that challenges us to appreciate, explore and contribute to our communities.”

SINCE 1998, BIZ X IS DELIVERED FREE OF CHARGE TO EVERY REGISTERED BUSINESS IN WINDSOR & ESSEX COUNTY (10,000) AS DETERMINED BY CANADA POST. (NUMBER 03524213)

AS WELL, 3,000 COPIES ARE USED FOR SUBSCRIPTIONS, CLIENTS, NEWSSTANDS AND DISPLAY RACKS IN WINDSOR ESSEX, CHATHAM, TILBURY & SARNIA. ADDITIONAL COPIES (3,000) OF CERTAIN ISSUES ARE DISTRIBUTED AT NO CHARGE TO 450 LOCATIONS IN METRO DETROIT & REGION OR DISTRIBUTED AT WINDSOR ESSEX TRADE SHOWS/EVENTS (NUMBER MAY INCREASE AT TIMES). FOR A COMPLETE DESCRIPTION ON OUR CIRCULATION VISIT: WWW.BIZXMAGAZINE.COM.

Paws down, Smokie wins every staring contest.

Odin knows “April showers bring May flowers.”

PRESIDENT Deborah Jones VICE-PRESIDENT Colin Jones OFFICE ADMINISTRATION & SALES Della Jones-Goulet, Assistant to the Publisher Kathleen Jones BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Jack Rosenberg WRITERS / PHOTOJOURNALISTS Lori Baldassi Arthur Barbut Sherrilynn Colley-Vegh David Clark Danielle Gifford Chelsea Girard Andrea Grimes Alan Halberstadt Dave Hall Dave Halliday Jason Kerluck Marlene Markham-Gay Steven Mayo Joe McParland Erika Muscat Rebecca Wright PHOTOGRAPHERS Rodney L. Denis Photography Lori Deschaine

Darn it Stella, you blinked!

Let’s try this again.

PRODUCTION DESIGN Rae Marie MAILING & DELIVERY ADDRESS FOR BIZ X ONLY P.O. Box 27035, 7720 Tecumseh Road East, Windsor, Ontario, N8T 3N5 e-mail: info@bizxmagazine.com

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from the publisher

Nominate An Outstanding Nurse By April 20!

By Deborah Jones

For 20 years and counting, Biz X has focused on businesses, organizations, events and local residents. Our editorial content is mainly business, but at times we do write about other important issues. Matters related to health certainly fall into this category.

Recently, a member of my family spent many days and nights over two different occasions at Windsor Regional Hospital’s Ouellette Campus. A few years ago I also visited another family member at Met Campus for nine months. Back then, but even more so now, I learned how vital nurses are in the recovery process of a patient and how much we depend on them.

It’s very hard at night to leave your family member in a room hooked up to machines while you worry about him or her constantly and hope for them to be well again. Of course in addition to the doctors (and we were in contact with a few amazing ones as well), nurses are who you trust to care for your loved one so you can still

work, sleep and try to get through daily life functions during medical emergencies.

In our case, we were in touch with many fantastic nurses who helped us tremendously and to choose just one would not be fair. So for now I want to give a shout out to all the nurses (students too) on the 6th floor at Ouellette Campus for being so caring. But, I give our readers the tough task of selecting only one nominee from the many dedicated and wonderful nurses in the community who have demonstrated a commitment through excellence in delivering nursing care.

It’s time again to recognize the “WindsorEssex County Nurse of the Year.”

The “11th Annual Lois Fairley Nursing Award” is given by the Windsor-Essex Chapter of the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO) from nominations received from the public.

The award is named after Lois Fairley, a graduate of Grace Hospital’s nursing program

in 1955 who spent her career serving patients at Grace Hospital as a nurse and head nurse until her retirement in 1993. Sadly she passed away in 2007, and the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario instituted this award for Windsor Essex in 2008 to honour her lasting legacy of love and caring.

To send in a nomination, in 500 words or less, include in a letter details on how a nurse has impacted your life or changed the life of a patient/family. Nominees (nurses) should: have proven themselves to be advocates for patients and the nursing profession; be committed to the service of patients/clients and demonstrate commitment and support for the community of coworkers where the nurse is employed.

For more information and the nomination form go to the RNAO website: WindsorEssexRNAO.org. Entries must be received by April 20 at 5 p.m. and can be mailed to Crystal Hepburn, 260 Belleperche Place, Windsor, ON, N8S 3B5 or sent by email to: crystalhepburnRN@gmail.com.

So, if you find yourself dealing with a nurse and you believe they have provided outstanding care, please nominate and thank him/her. Next month we can celebrate all nurses during “National Nursing Week” from May 7 to 13 with the theme #YesThisIsNursing.

Stay healthy, my friends!

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editorial viewpoint

Ghostly Hum Becoming Part Of Windsor’s Culture

By Alan Halberstadt *If you have a comment on this topic please post it under my column in the CITY section of BizXmagazine.com

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wo Canadian government tests have pointed the finger at Zug Island, and more specifically U.S. Steel Corp., as the source of the infamous “Windsor Hum” which is back in the news again and raising a question on why nobody has started a class action suit against the alleged perpetrators.

The Hum has gained global infamy over the last seven years since the August day in 2011 when former Windsor City Councillor Al Maghnieh became a believer in the Hum he was hearing about from South Windsor constituents.

He was leaving his home at 2 a.m. There were no cars on the road, no other sounds. But there it was.

“It was a low bass frequency,” Maghnieh related in a recent interview. “I could feel the vibration. I said to myself: ‘This is absolutely real.’”

When the rookie Councillor reported the Hum to the provincial ministries of the environment and transportation and received “the old ping pong treatment,” he went to his Twitter account and officially introduced the existence of the Hum. Over the next six months the Windsor Hum started evolving as a social media sensation, dwarfing such events as the recent FINA swim championships in terms of putting Windsor on the map.

Over the years, critiques of the Windsor Hum have appeared in The New York Times, The Globe and Mail, National Post, The Wall Street Journal, Maclean’s and generally media from all over the globe.

In early 2012, with public pressure unrelenting, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment (OME), the Canadian Ministry of National Resources and Earthquakes Canada teamed up to quietly install seismic receptors all across the city.

In the summer of 2012, the OME announced the results to 250 people at the South Windsor Arena, including Michael Boulder, the Mayor of River Rouge, the city that houses Zug Island.

A three page OME report identified the

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vibrations, concluding they triangulated an area around Brighton Beach in west Windsor and LaSalle, directly across from the 1.32 squaremile industrial island little more than a stone’s throw away from the Windsor shoreline.

Maghnieh says he subsequently paid $8,000 out of his own pocket to conduct a telephone town hall meeting in October of 2012, which attracted 22,000 listeners. The federal government’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs finally became involved and commissioned a $20,000 study co-led by University of Windsor acoustics expert Dr. Colin Novak.

That 100 page study basically drew the same conclusions, which were released by Essex Conservative MP Jeff Watson, in May of 2014.

By then, Strosberg, Sasso, Sutts LLP Lawyer David Robins was very much involved.

Like Maghnieh, Robins, a South Windsor resident, became active when he heard the Hum himself. He compared the noise to a couple of Mack trucks idling, or the deep bass at a kids’ electric guitar party.

“I could feel the vibrations coursing through my body,” Robins states.

The frustrating part of all this is the inconsistency. The Hum comes and it goes.

The intensity heightens and wanes.

The latest episode indicates a rumbling thunder noise has spread, to Amherstburg, McGregor and as far away as Cleveland.

Watson’s successor, NDP Tracey Ramsey, posed this question in the House of Commons on December 8 of last year: “Over the last few weeks, people have reported the Hum to be louder, shaking homes, affecting sleep, creating earaches and headaches. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to answer. The Hum continues to negatively affect the health of my constituents in Essex and people in Windsor.

They deserve answers.”

The Deputy to Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland told Ramsey that the Liberal government, elected in October of 2015, is well aware of the issue, has engaged American Foreign Affairs officials and will continue to work to find a solution.

Yada. Yada. Yada. They have been B IZ X M A G A Z IN E • A P R IL 2 0 1 8

saying that for two years in correspondence with veteran NDP Windsor West MP Brian Masse, who received a letter on March 1, 2016 from former Minister of Foreign Affairs Stephane Dion saying that Canadian officials had met with officials from River Rouge and U.S. Steel.

Robins and Maghnieh, who was voted off City Council in 2014 following a controversy over library credit cards, attribute the Hum’s irregularity to weather patterns. Windsor gets the brunt of the Hum because the prevailing winds are southeast. Noise carries well over water. Heavy cloud cover and humidity are also catalysts.

Al Maghnieh: Fed up with never-ending bureaucracy.

Photo courtesy of Al Maghnieh.

Lead researcher Novak, while identifying the source as Zug Island, insists he can’t determine the precise location without getting access to the U.S. Steel blast furnaces suspected to be the culprits. There are other heavy industries on the island, although nothing else can produce a low frequency sound like the Hum other than a blast furnace.

During testing, audio equipment was carried on a boat to within 50 metres of the shore, but American officials were steadfast in disallowing access. They remain so today.

Novak remembers a 2014 meeting at the Canadian Consulate in Detroit attended

by U.S. representatives and a consultant representing River Rouge. The meeting ended amiably, but there has been no movement from the Americans since.

The Mayor of River Rouge terminated badgering from Maghnieh in 2014 by telling him “the only noise was coming from politicians across the river.”

I have had no better luck. The River Rouge Mayor’s office referred me to City Attorney David Bower, who twice spoke briefly by phone to me, then failed to respond to multiple ensuing entreaties for information.

I had to create a password code called ethicspoint to register questions to U.S. Steel, and received a common response to media, big and small, from the ultra-secretive conglomerate: “The organization does not have any questions or comments at this time.”

I asked Robins, son in law of legendary class action Lawyer Harvey Strosberg, why his firm doesn’t undertake a class action suit,

Researchers speculate that U.S. Steel’s high-capacity blast furnaces are the source of the Windsor Hum, and the maddening noise coincides with the appearance of bright blue flames on Zug Island’s exhaust stacks.

Photo of U.S. Steel’s imposing industrial complex by Rod Denis.

and perhaps get a court order to examine U.S. Steel’s facilities.

“My firm is not adverse to taking on risky lawsuits against corporate giants but we are smart and do our due diligence first,” Robins says. “In class actions the lawyers typically undertake to indemnify plaintiffs in the event of an adverse cost award. For that reason, class actions differ from ordinary litigation in that they are costly and thus not conducive to the ‘shoot first, ask questions later’ approach.”

He continues, “I would not want to wait until discovery to receive documents that perhaps could prove that U.S. Steel isn’t liable after all. By that time, we are years away and knee deep. I am a litigator but I see the practicality of trying to push for a diplomatic resolution if we could find motivated politicians.

It would be the speedier and perhaps the more effective approach.”

Maghnieh is pessimistic that Canadian officials are going to pry open the door to

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Zug Island when other priorities such as renegotiating NAFTA, duties on steel and aluminum and building a new bridge far overshadow the Windsor Hum. Zug Island is locked down tight by Homeland Security. Maghnieh attempted to visit the island with Boulder four years ago and was turned back by armed guards. But even he is reluctant to state with certainty that U.S. Steel is the Hum exporter.

“U.S. Steel has very deep pockets and they could sue me upside down and sideways,” he muses. “I’ve been bankrupt once and I don’t want to go through that again.”

Social media mavens have raised the spectre that the Zug Island steel mill is irregularly used to build war tanks, and speculate that U.S. Steel harbours a covert underground military operation.

Google “The Mysterious Case of The Windsor Hum” and you will find two compelling videos (one by Josh Ledore and the other by Justin Ling of HBO) that draw you into popular conspiracy theories.

Meanwhile, Maghnieh believes the Windsor Hum is here to stay.

“People will resign themselves to the fact that it comes and goes and accept that it’s a part of Windsor’s Culture,” he predicts.

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FRONTLINES Putting Walk-In Medical Clinics On The Map Anyone who’s ever waited in line for treatment at walk-in medical clinics can now be more selective about where they seek medical help.

With the aid of Medimap.ca, a new website launched in early March by founder Blake Adam, patients can check wait times, hours of service and whether or not any of the physicians working in the clinic are accepting new patients.

“It’s partly based on personal experience and partly because so many people have faced long wait times at clinics,” explains Adam. “Emergency rooms are often full because people go there rather than to a clinic and we felt that if clinic wait times were posted in a central place, people might choose clinics over emergency rooms.”

Launched in White Rock, B.C. only three years ago, Medimap.ca already has more than 700 clinics signed up for the service across six provinces, including 14 clinics here in Windsor and four in Essex County.

“It’s been received very well by both

patients and clinic staff because it helps reduce individual wait times and it also reduces the number of phone calls staff have to field to answer questions about wait times,” adds Adam.

Adam mentions the service is offered to clinics at no cost but there are premium feature options available for a fee.

These options include listing additional information about individual clinics.

The site also provides closing times and whether or not a particular clinic has stopped accepting patients for the day because its lineup has reached capacity.

On a recent morning, wait times at 11 area clinics listed on the site ranged from zero minutes to 30 minutes. The site, which lists clinic addresses, also includes a map showing clinic locations.

MCC Recognizes Those Who Make Our Community A Better Place

continues its commitment to investing in the community where they live, work and play.

Since its inception, Caesars Windsor Cares has donated over $15 million in funding and in-kind resources to support the tireless efforts of many local charitable and non-profit organizations working towards building a better future for our community and its citizens; and has sponsored many local fundraising events to promote pride and community participation.

On an annual basis, through the “HERO” (Helping Employees Reach Out) program, employees give thousands of volunteer hours helping improve the life of others. Caesars Windsor Cares philanthropic contributions and dedication has made a positive impact in the community through identifying and removing barriers, promoting understanding, and

creating a more welcoming community for all.

The “Champion Award” celebrates the contributions an immigrant makes to our community. Its 2018 recipient, Jasmin ReyesTjong, is a founding member of the Board of the Filipino Community Centre.

She’s also a key member of the team which secured the Centre’s current home on Northwood Avenue and is a longtime dance Director/Choreographer of the Luzviminda Dance Troupe.

Reyes-Tjong values diversity and inclusion.

For years she coordinated the “Best Buddies Canada” University of Windsor and St. Clair College Chapters and she has learned many leadership skills through her experiences.

For more information about the awards gala, please go to: HerbGrayGala.com

The Multicultural Council of Windsor Essex County (MCC) recently announced that Caesars Windsor Cares is the recipient of their “Harmony Award” and Jasmin Reyes-Tjong has earned their “Champion Award.”

The MCC invites the community to join in celebrating the contributions and dedication of these outstanding award recipients at the “Herb Gray Harmony Awards” on Thursday May 3, 2018 at the Ciociaro Club.

The “Harmony Award” was established to recognize individuals and groups who have made an outstanding contribution to building a welcoming community for all. As one of the largest employers in the city, Caesars Windsor

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FRONTLINES Start The Presses, There’s A New Printer In Town JJK Print Inc announced in mid March the establishment of its new printing operation located in Leamington, Ontario at 4 Iroquois Road, Unit 7.

The company provides high quality, high speed printing of labels and packaging materials for the local produce packing industry.

Utilizing the new state-of-the-art flexographic print press machinery and advanced processes, JJK Print claims to be capable of producing high quality products at speeds 40% faster than the competition — enabling JJK Print to offer better prices and shorter lead times for their customers.

“We offer a new method for the production of printed top-seal film that is used by produce packers to close off the tomato and other produce containers,” states John Stubbs, CEO/General Manager of JJK Print Inc. “This is an exciting development as it enables us to supply customers with ‘local’ product at short notice and in small quantities, compared with the four month/large quantity only order cycle currently sourced outside the region.”

JJK Print now has a team of 10 highly experienced people, all shareholders and all

John Stubbs, CEO/General Manager of JJK Print Inc. stands by their new high performance print press. Photo courtesy of JJK Print.

dedicated to deliver high productivity and outstanding customer service.

As JJK Print expands and develops, further recruitment, hiring and training is planned over the coming year.

Stubbs adds “We are thankful to Farm Credit Canada and BDC for their support and assistance in helping us to fund our

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$2 million plus investment, the WindsorEssex Economic Development Corporation, and all of the many local companies and organizations who have assisted us to set-up our new operation. We are so proud to say we are now “Open for Business.”

For further information on their services please email: sales@JJKprint.com.

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EVENT PROFILE

“Celebrity Men Fashion Event” For The Kidney Foundation of Canada Friday, May 11, 2018

By Erika Muscat

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ring your umbrellas, on Friday, May 11, because it is going to be raining men!

Prepare to be wowed as The Kidney Foundation of Canada, Windsor & District Chapter present the third annual “Celebrity Men Fashion Event” at St. Clair College Centre for the Arts, 201 Riverside Drive West in Windsor.

The first two years of this event were met with phenomenal success, as local celebrities owned the catwalk with their personalities and unexpected surprises for the crowd.

Local actress and improvisation guru Michelle Mainwaring fully enjoyed teasing and bantering with the men, leaving the audience in a state of constant laughter. She is ready to entertain the crowd again this year with a whole new set of antics and partner in crime — Cool 100.7’s Dave Tymo.

This event is not your typical fashion show. While the models will be looking dapper in the best from: Collins Formal Wear, Franco Angileri Designs, Running Factory and The Suit Shop Co. Ltd., they will also interact with the crowd.

Prior to the fashion show, guests can also mix and mingle with the models, munch

Dr. Vince Ruisi entertains the lively crowd at the second annual “Celebrity Men Fashion Event” at The Water’s Edge Event Centre.

Photos courtesy of Terri McPherson

Models in the 2017 “Celebrity Men Fashion Event” pose for a photo at the end of the show from left: TJ Laramie, Dr. David Mady, Matt Dunlop, Dr. Vince Ruisi, Dr. Amit Bagga, Dr. Wayne Callaghan, Vern Myslichuk, Shawn Talbot, Rakesh Naidu and Dr. Phil Tremblay.

on hors d’oeuvres, check out silent auction items and have a whole lot of fun in the DDM Photo Booth sponsored by Biz X magazine!

This year’s roster includes 12 of Windsor Essex’s corporate and community leaders, who are generously volunteering their time to make this a successful fundraiser for The Kidney Foundation.

Revealed at a Media Launch on March 21, the following individuals will be walking the runway this year: Bill Marra, VP External Affairs, Innovation & Philanthropy, HôtelDieu Grace Healthcare; Chase Stoyshin, Consultant, Investors Group; Cordell Green, Country 95.9/92.7 Radio Show Host; Rino Bortolin, City of Windsor Councillor; David Burman, Owner of Mister Maid; Dr. Lawrence Aoun of Windsor Regional Hospital; Eddy Hammoud, Owner, Eddy’s Mediterranean Bistro; Joe Zagar, Renal Pharmacist; Lance Moore, Windsor Firefighter; Laz Dimitriou, Owner of The Suit Shop Co. Ltd.; Mark Winterton, City

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Engineer — City of Windsor; and Remo DiPaolo, VP of Financial Planning at BMO. Tickets are only $60 for general seating and available at: Kidney.ca/CelebrityMen. As well there are a limited number of $85 VIP tickets up for sale which include two well drinks, prime reserved seating and wait service during the show.

With no other event like this around town, do not miss your chance for an evening to remember and help a local cause too.

The goal is to raise $25,000 to contribute to programs and services for people living with kidney disease, and kidney-related research.

A huge thank you goes out to the sponsors for their support: 100.7 Cool FM, Aphria, Biz X, Corbett Productions, Country 95.9/92.7, Janssen, Milestone Studios, Rob and Deborah Armitage of Coldwell Banker Essential Realty, ScotiaWealth, Southwestern Manufacturing Inc. and St. Clair College Alumni Foundation.

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MILESTONES

Running Factory: Running Like Clockwork Story And Photo By Dave Hall For 25 Years

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wenty-five years after opening the doors of the Running Factory while working at Chrysler’s Windsor Assembly Plant, Gary Belanger is still selling fitness gear to the area’s tight-knit running community.

Belanger opened his first store at 5480 Wyandotte Street East with Joe Bertuccio as his sole employee. Bertuccio would soon leave Windsor to build a career with New Balance Canada before returning in 2004 and joining Belanger as his business partner.

“It was the best decision I ever made,” Bertuccio expresses. “I had a good career at New Balance but I’m glad I came back to Windsor.”

Since then, the pair have opened another store at 4115 Walker Road and now have 20 employees split between the two locations.

Belanger credits running groups such as Walkers and Runners Around the County of Essex (WRACE), Malden Park Runners and Blue Heron Blazers as well as similar groups in the county with giving him the inspiration to open the business and supporting him when it did open.

“I was a member of WRACE back in the ’90s and I thought there was room for a running-centric store, selling quality gear to runners and helping others join the running community,” recounts Belanger. “I worked for Chrysler and in the store for about five years and then took the plunge into retail full time.”

Bertuccio believes they’ve been able to survive and thrive in the face of competition from big box stores and larger chains by pushing a buy-local strategy and offering customer service not often found in larger stores.

“We take the time to measure people’s feet properly,” notes Belanger. “We don’t just leave people alone to find their own

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Founder and Co-owner Gary Belanger (left) and Co-owner Joe Bertuccio pose with products on display at the Running Factory store on Walker Road.

footwear. Plus, we sell quality gear because most serious runners see their gear as an extension of their running personality.”

Bertuccio adds, “It’s more of a volume game for the larger stores but for us, it’s more about personal customer service.”

The two stores have also become hubs for the local running community by staging clinics to help people learn how to run and how to train for larger events such as halfmarathons and full marathons.

“Not every runner wants to run marathons,” Bertuccio points out. “But for those that do, we can pull people together at our clinics to help them achieve whatever goals they set for themselves.”

Belanger and Bertuccio also help organize and support charity events including the “Spring Thaw 5K” in April; “The Moon in

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June”; Tim Hortons “Night Run” and the Via Italia “Foot Race & Kid’s Dash.” They also support groups such as The Hospice of Windsor and Essex County, W.E. Care for Kids, Children’s Health Foundation, Windsor Essex Community Foundation and Maryvale, among others.

“We’ve found that by being active in the community, it comes back to us in customer loyalty and friendships,” says Belanger.

“And we like to think we fit people up from head to toe and if we do, they keep coming back.”

Belanger and Bertuccio both state there are no plans to open a third store but that any such investment decisions are market-driven.

For more information on their products, check out: RunningFactory.com.

BRINGING YOU UP TO SPEED ON THE LATEST BUZZ AROUND TOWN!

HEARD ON THE STREET

More than three thousand Jehovah’s Witnesses are coming to Windsor June 15 to 17 when the organization stages a regional convention at the WFCU Centre.

Based on the theme “Be Courageous,” the convention is expected to attract attendees from 37 congregations spread between London, Goderich and Windsor.

The convention will feature more than 50 instructive presentations, live interviews, multimedia presentations and a feature film entitled “The Story of Jonah – A Lesson in Courage and Mercy.” It is one of 52 similar conventions taking place across Canada from May through August. Programs will be presented in 16 languages. It’s expected that as many as 10 hotels will be utilized by visitors.

Vendor applications are still being accepted for this year’s Downtown Windsor Farmer’s Market which will run from May 26 until October 6 on Pelissier Street between Wyandotte Street East and Maiden Lane. The market, which is funded by the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association to the tune of about $30,000, is produced by the Downtown Windsor Community Collaborative. “It’s a great event and has helped revitalize downtown and fill some empty storefronts,” says DWBIA Executive Director Debi Croucher. “Providing access to fresh produce as well as giftware, crafts and works of art has been very well received by people throughout the downtown and beyond.” Among the vendors who have already signed on for the summer are: Alora Flora, Benotto Co., Blaks Bakery, Bloks Hands of Healing, Bouchard Farms, Café March 21, Cat’s Paw Pottery, Cedar Valley

Selections, Chance Coffee, Country Fresh Packers, Country Rose Preservers, Crafty Mama’s, Creekside Market, Dances in Garden, Dockside Fisheries, Dutch House Bakery, Dyan’s Garlic Sauce, Earth Eatery, Fairy Lilly Creations, Gourds for Birds, Joseph Byrne Produce, Le Papetier Vert, Lica Ruby, Little Foot Foods, entertainer Mathew Romain, Muscedere Winery, Our Farm Organics, artist Owen Swain, Simon Steeps, Spoontastic Treats, Steeped Tea by Donna Root, Sunrise Bakery, Sweetbay Foods, The Cheese Bar, Rashmi Dadwal Art and Prepared Foods, RASOI Cuisine, Raymont Berries, Riverside Pie Café, The Crazy Recyclers, The Fruit Wagon, Henna Boutique, The Holistic Guy, Mushroom Hub, Tir Apple Farm and Zone 6 Gardeners. For more information visit: DWFM.ca.

Fortis Group, a Windsor based developer, is close to completing a pair of major construction projects. The Toy Box Early Childhood Education Centre at 3966 Walker Road is expected to open this year and a new Scotiabank branch at 7201 Tecumseh Road East is also expected to open within a few months.

A $25 million project along Division Road, adjacent to Devonshire Mall, is less than six months away from welcoming its first customers. Rocco Tullio of Rock Developments says construction should be completed by June with stores ready to open by late August. The new stores in phase one of the development will include Ashley’s and Dollarama as well as restaurants such as Five Guys Burgers, Blaze Pizza, Freshii

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and Quedoba and a pet store. It’s expected that phase two will eventually include a steakhouse and some big box retailers, says Tullio. “It’s a high traffic area given all that’s going on at Devonshire Mall and it should help generate more traffic for all the retail outlets,” adds Tullio.

Perfetto Bistro Bottega has opened in a former clothing store at 5783 Wyandotte Street East by Ivana and Giampiero Perfetto, a husband and wife team who moved back to Canada from Italy where they had been living for most of the past 20 years. “My husband was an engineering technologist in Italy but his family has operated a bakery for more than 80 years and he’s always had a passion for cooking,” says Ivana. The couple decided to come back to Ivana’s hometown and where Giampiero had attended college because of economic issues in Italy which have caused job opportunities and social service supports to slowly erode.

Ivana describes Perfetto’s menu as traditional Italian cuisine with a home-made twist. “We have our own pasta machine and it’s all made on the premises,” she explains. For more information on the restaurant which opened in early February, refer to: PerfettoBistro.ca.

Five years after purchasing Gilligan’s Restaurant at 12058 Tecumseh Road in Tecumseh from its original owners, Chad Robinson has closed the restaurant to focus on other business ventures. The restaurant closed in February and Robinson says there were a number of business issues that caused the closure. Robinson purchased the restaurant from Craig Webb and Tom Hebert who still own and operate a Gilligan’s restaurant at 1270 Ottawa Street. The Gilligan’s brand also includes a pair of Fire Grill locations at 3032 Dougall Avenue and 400 Sandwich Street South in Amherstburg. Recent social media posts also indicate a new location is coming to Lakeshore featuring an open concept, 1,300 sq., outdoor heated patio, and a few surprises!

We’ll be sure to keep you posted as more information comes in.

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NEWSFLASH THE RUNDOWN CenterLine (Windsor) Limited announced in early March it has maintained its status as a “Gold Standard Requalified” winner and has been recognized for overall business performance and sustained growth with the prestigious “Canada’s Best Managed Companies” Award. CenterLine congratulates its outstanding staff for its unwavering dedication to excellence and thanks its many valued customers and suppliers for their contributions in helping them realize this tremendous achievement.

Now in its 25th year “Canada’s Best Managed Companies” (see website: BestManagedCompanies.ca) is one of the country’s leading business awards programs recognizing Canadian-owned and managed companies for innovative, world-class business practices. Every year, hundreds of entrepreneurial companies compete for this designation in a rigorous and independent process that evaluates the calibre of their management abilities and practices. This prestigious national award is sponsored by Deloitte, CIBC, Canadian Business, Smith School of Business, TMX Group and MacKay CEO Forums. CenterLine (headquartered in Windsor, Ontario) is a Canadian based, privately held, corporation specializing in advanced automation processes and technologies that satisfy resistance welding, metal forming and cold spray application needs. It is established internationally with manufacturing and service support facilities situated in the USA, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, Romania, India and China which help support their customer’s international operations. With over 60 years of business experience, CenterLine continues to develop technologies and processes that assist its customers in maintaining their competitive advantage. Find out more about this company at: Cntrline.com.

Electrozad Supply Company Limited was also recognized for overall business performance and sustained growth with the prestigious “Canada’s Best Managed Companies” designation. The 2018 “Best Managed” program award winners are amongst the best-in-class of Canadian owned and managed companies with revenues over $15 million demonstrating strategy, capability and commitment to achieve sustainable growth. Electrozad

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commitment to environmental management.

In 2010, the Essex Regional Conservation Authority recognized Sterling for its environmental initiatives during the dock construction project. The company has also received praise from Walpole Island First Nation for its environmental achievements and stewardship. Additionally, Sterling The Electrozad Supply Company Limited Windsor location at 2900 Jefferson Blvd. Photo courtesy of Dean Scott.

Supply was selected for their commitment to service and quality, investment into the future, adaptive business strategies, and their focus on employee development. As the largest independently owned electrical wholesale distributor in Southwestern Ontario, Electrozad Supply offers a full range of electrical and electrical-related products from some of the premier manufacturers in Canada and the United States. From products to complete project solutions, they provide customers with a convenient “one-stop-shop” total source for their electrical needs. The company was also recognized as a 2016 winner of a Windsor – Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce “Business Excellence Award.” Electrozad and their dedicated staff contribute to numerous philanthropic endeavours through the Electrozad Foundation and OZAD Institute, as well as community volunteering initiatives and sponsorships.

Learn more at: Electrozad.com.

In early March Sterling Fuels Limited was awarded $32,910 towards Union Gas’ energy conservation initiative. When Union Gas Project Manager for Market Development Engineering Services, Haris Ahmadzai presented the cheque to Sterling’s President Peter Kelly he mentioned was very pleased to work jointly with Sterling in creating these opportunities for energy conservation and cost savings. “Initiatives such as these can save companies a lot of money, and we look forward to continuing a strong relationship with Union Gas,” says Kelly. “Sterling Fuels is one of Union Gas’ top 100 industrial users in southwestern Ontario. Over the years, we have invested heavily in environmental projects such as reducing energy consumption and our carbon footprint.” Sterling has received numerable awards over the years for its B IZ X M A G A Z IN E • A P R IL 2 0 1 8

At the official cheque ceremony, Sterling Fuels (SF) and Union Gas representatives from left: Mario Pennesi (Controller, SF); Drew Everette (Manager of Engineering Services, Union Gas; Haris Ahmadzai (Project Manager, Market Development Engineering Services, Union Gas); Peter Kelly (President, SF); Tony Zambito (Maintenance Manager and Project Coordinator, SF), and Gene Tomory (Facility Manager, SF).

Matt Ciupka, Account Representative for Union Gas, was also in attendance but not pictured. Photo courtesy of Sterling Fuels.

has received “Safety Kleen” Awards for reducing greenhouse emissions and environmental programs, and past recognition from both Windsor Utilities and Union Gas for its GHG and Energy Reduction Programs. Sterling has also been recognized by Georgian Bay Forever, a Great Lakes environmental group protecting water and aquatic species. Kelly adds, “It’s the hard work and dedication of Tony Zambito, Maintenance Manager and Coordinator for the project, along with his team, that make these grants and awards to Sterling possible.”

ON THE MOVE

Farhat & Associates Law Firm, specializing in Real Estate, Corporate and Litigation Law, has now moved to its new location at 1 Hanna Street West, at the corner of Hanna and Ouellette.

The beautifully updated building houses the firm’s larger offices and on-site parking for all clients. Learn more about their services at: Facebook.com/Windsorlawyer.

Active Industrial Solutions and Radix Inc. are proud to announce and welcome Doug LoFranco as President and Chief Executive Officer effective immediately.

He will lead the AIS Technologies Group, which comprises Radix Inc. and the Active Industrial Solutions companies: Automation, Gauge & Fixture, and Specialty Machining divisions. “I am delighted to be joining the team at the AIS Technologies Group and look forward to being part of a division that provides innovative technologies for advanced manufacturing solutions for a variety of industries across North America,” states LoFranco. He has extensive executive management experience in the industrial automation space, most recently as President of M&R Automation Canada Inc.; Vice President & General Manager of ABB Robotics Canada Inc.; VP and General Manager of Wheelabrator Group Canada. Ross Rawlings, President of Radix Inc. notes “Doug’s proven track record will contribute greatly to the success we have experienced as a group. His natural ability to lead and his experience with technologies in manufacturing will be a benefit to our organization and to our customers.” Founded in 1994, Radix is an award-winning leader in automation solutions, delivering best in class

technology to manufacturers, combining superior machine vision solutions, advanced robotics & controls, and complex automation middleware layered over assembly automation (see: RadixInc.ca).

Active Industrial Solutions, designs, manufacturers and services complex plastic injection mould systems, custom automation & secondary processing equipment, gauges and fixtures and specialty machined components with a strong history of value added solutions for a variety of vertical sectors. In 2016, Active Industrial Solutions acquired Radix Inc. Both are privately held companies headquartered in Tecumseh, Ontario with operations in Mississauga, Ontario; Trenton, Michigan; Winchester, Tennessee; Montreal, Quebec and India.

Further information on AIS can be found on: ActiveIndustrialSolutions.com.

As of February 26, 2018 The Town of Essex has appointed Kate Bailey to the position of Manager of Finance and Business Services. As part of the Corporate Services Department, Bailey is responsible for overseeing the financial health of the organization, including the coordination of operating and capital budgets, audits, and day-to-day management of all financial activities for the Town. She brings a

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wealth of experience to the Town of Essex.

Most recently, she held the position of Financial Analyst for Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, where she assisted with budget development, financial analysis, month-end, and procurement. A graduate of Algoma University, Bailey holds her Bachelor of Business Administration, specializing in Accounting, as well as a Chartered Professional Accountant designation. She began her career as an Accounting Assistant with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation. She then took on the role of Staff Accountant at Hyatt Lassaline LLP Chartered Accountants before being promoted to the position of Assurance and Tax Manager/Human Resource Practitioner. Bailey also currently serves as the volunteer Treasurer at the Welcome Centre Shelter for Women, a Windsorbased charitable organization.“Kate’s public and private sector experience is a great addition to our department,” states Jeffrey Morrison, Director of Corporate Services. “We’re excited to have her join the team as we move forward and continually evolve the financial processes at the Town.”

To read more about the town and its facilities, events and the latest news, visit: Essex.ca.

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APRIL/MAY2018

D AT E S T O R E M E M B E R Biz X has the list of business events (and some fun stuff) that you shouldn’t miss! Please be sure to confirm all events before attending.

VISIT: BIZXMAGAZINE.COM AND INPLAYMAGAZINE.COM AND CLICK ON THE “EVENTS” TAB TO SEE WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE BORDER CITIES!

WINDSOR ESSEX

Having an event? Submit your listing to us at: Bizxmagazine.com and InPlaymagazine.com

*unless noted the area code to dial is 519 April 1 to 30: “Daffodil Month” for the Canadian Cancer Society’s national fundraising campaign takes place all month long to raise funds to continue their critical work in the fight against cancer. You can help by purchasing a pin at an area business or get involved by selling daffodil pins and canvassing in your neighbourhood.

Give a little time. Make a big difference.

For more info refer to: Cancer.ca/windsor; email: theresa.blondin@ontario.cancer.ca; or call 254-5116.

April 14 & 15: “FitFest” at the Serbian Centre, 6770 Tecumseh Road East in Windsor from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Pay just $5 at the door and you can visit local vendors, see live workouts, listen to health seminars and more.

Visit: WindsorFitFest.com to get the entire scoop on “FitFest.”

April 20: Don’t miss the “Viva Las Vegas Gala” in honour of Hiatus House at St. Clair College Centre for the Arts, 201 Riverside Drive West in Windsor, starting at 6 p.m.

Enjoy a strolling dinner, dessert table from area businesses, raffle prizes, live music and a good time! Admission is $150. For further details email: andrea@atyourserviceeventstaffing.com; view: AtYourServiceEventStaffing.com or call 965-2874.

April 22: The Essex Region Conservation Authority and Detroit River Canadian Cleanup host “Earth Day Tree Planting Celebrations” in east Windsor at Wyandotte and Florence Avenue from 10 a.m. to noon. Dig out your shovel and join them in planting 2,000 trees to celebrate “Earth Day” and help make our community a little greener! To learn more visit: ERCA.org/earthday or phone 776-5209.

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April 22: A toonie gets you in the door for the “Antiques & Collectibles Nostalgia Show” at the Serbian Centre, 6770 Tecumseh Road East in Windsor from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Vendors display their collections for sale and treasures consisting of antiques and vintage items including furniture, clocks, jewellery, coins, Coca Cola memorabilia and more.

If you need further details check out: B-M.Facebook.com/antiqueshows.by.janine; email: antiqueshows.by.janine@hotmail.com; or call 903-7574.

April 27: “No Kids Required Book Launch” presented by author Jenn Sadai takes place at The City Grill, 375 Ouellette Avenue in Windsor from 7 p.m. until 11 p.m. See page 44 of this issue for full details.

April 28: Yee haw, it’s a “Country Hoedown” presented by IRIS Residential Inns and Services taking place at the St. Cyril Slovak Hall, 1520 Chandler Road in Windsor from 6 until 9:30 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. with entertainment by The Rio Michaels Trio and a prime rib dinner served at 7 p.m. prepared by Chef Rob Kelly. Tickets are $45 per person. For info email: iris@irisinns.ca; log on to: IrisInns.ca or call 252-1819.

May 1: “Breakfast of Champions” presented by the Canadian Mental Health Association takes place at St. Clair College Centre for the Arts, 201 Riverside Drive West in Windsor from 7 to 9 a.m. The inaugural “Breakfast of Champions” speaker series brings engaging, thought provoking speakers to Windsor Essex to explore mental health and wellness in today’s society, to bring greater awareness and understanding, and to support the programs and services of the Canadian Mental Health Association, Windsor-Essex County Branch. The keynote speaker is Sue

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Klebold, mother of Dylan Klebold, one of the two shooters at Columbine High School — a tragedy that saddened and galvanized a nation.

She’s spent the last 15 years excavating every detail of her family life, trying to understand the crucial intersection between mental health problems and violence. Instead of becoming paralyzed by her grief and remorse, she has become a passionate and effective agent working tirelessly to advance mental health awareness and intervention. General admission is $50 or $35 for students. For more info email: khill@cmha-wecb.on.ca; go to the website: WindsorEssex.cmha.ca/events/breakfast-ofchampions or call 255-7440.

May 1: The “Distinguished Speaker Luncheon” continues with Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara presented by the WindsorEssex Regional Chamber of Commerce at the Ciociaro Club, 3745 North Talbot Road in Windsor from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.

Admission is $40 Chamber members and $50 general admission. For more details email Marianne at: mburke@windsorchamber.org or dial 966-3696.

May 1: The Windsor premier of the film, “Andrea Doria: Are The Passengers Saved?” takes place at Giovanni Caboto Club, 2175 Parent Avenue in Windsor from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. This docudrama by Pierette Domenica Simpson — a survivor of the sinking — paints a new picture of the tragic transatlantic crossing and final voyage of the Andrea Doria. Simpson will introduce the film as well as answer questions after the screening. IMDb rates this film at 9.2 out of 10 stars! Artifacts displayed as well. Admission is $5. To learn more email: info@cabotoclub.com; check: CabotoClub.com or call 252-8383.

May 2: “McHappy Day” at all participating McDonald’s restaurants in Windsor Essex.

One dollar from every Big Mac sandwich, Happy Meal and all hot McCafe beverages sold on this day goes to support the Ronald McDonald House SWO and the John McGivney Children’s Centre.

May 3: The Multicultural Council of Windsor & Essex County presents the “Herb Gray Harmony & Champion Awards Gala” at the Ciociaro Club with an “Icelandic Evening” theme. To learn ticket costs please go online to: TheMCC.com or call 255-1127. Read up on the recipients in the Front Lines section of this issue on page 8.

May 4: The 26th annual St. Clair College “Alumni of Distinction Awards” at the Alumni Skyline Room, St. Clair College Centre for the Arts, 201 Riverside Drive West. Reception at 6:15 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m. Tickets $60, tables of 8 or 10 available. Learn more info at: StClairAlumni.com or phone 972-2747.

May 6: “SEIS,” a Six-o de Mayo brunch party hosted by Dry Parlour takes place at Spago South, 3850 Dougall Avenue in Windsor from noon until 4 p.m. It’s part dining and part deviance. This midday meal’s sole purpose with DJ Qrius George is to provide a glossy hair-ofthe-dog and an alcoholic fervour raising money for respite care for families in Windsor and Essex County. Wear what makes you beautiful!

Admission is $65. For further information email: afisher@familyrespite.org; see the website: FamilyRespite.org or call 818-6973.

May 6: The Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Foundation presents “Gourmet Gardens,” Essex County’s premiere spring culinary event, at Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery from 1 to 4:30 p.m. This wonderful afternoon includes a four course gourmet luncheon with wine pairings and entertainment by Detroit’s Gwen Foxx and the Coffee House Combo. Proceeds benefit the “You Can Write A Child’s Story” campaign. Tickets are $110 p.p. Questions?

Send an email: mclark@wecas.on.ca; check out: WECAF.on.ca or phone 252-1171 ext. 3210.

May 11: Successful Image presents its fifth annual “Networking for Charity” breakfast event at Victoria Greenlawn Funeral Home & Reception Centre, 1525 Highway #3 in Windsor from 9 to 11:30 a.m. with guest speaker Perry Wilson, the goaltending coach for the Windsor Spitfires. Topic: “Inspiring Courage in the Face of Adversity.” All proceeds benefit The Arthritis Society. Cost to attend is $30 which includes a full breakfast by Toscana and you must RSVP by May 8. For more info send an email: theresa@successful-image.com; refer to: Successful-Image.com or call 979-8888.

May 11: “Celebrity Men Fashion Event” for The Kidney Foundation of Canada at St. Clair College Centre for the Arts, 201 Riverside Drive West in Windsor. Turn back to page 11 of this issue to read all details on this event.

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BROUGHT TO YOU BY

COVER STORY By Dave Halliday

H

ow many times have you heard your parents tell you how rough it used to be for them growing up?

All it ever took was a sigh when your dad told you to go change the channel on the television for him. The next thing you knew you were hearing how they didn’t have televisions when he was a kid! He and his brother apparently used to walk to school taking turns carrying each other while the other got to wear the lone pair of shoes the family owned.

Thankfully we have come a long way since those times.

It really is mind boggling to consider the advancements that have been realized during the life span of the previous generation.

In the past it seemed our major accomplishments centred upon discovery associated with physically reaching beyond our current boundaries. Whether it be crossing an ocean to discover new lands or reaching beyond our planet to the stars, we were always embarking upon a journey.

In recent times it seems we are more inclined to advance our ability to reach out from where we are. We have developed technologies that allow us to communicate, control, and monitor systems and devices from anywhere.

We can travel the world and communicate with anyone with the touch of a finger.

While we still have the desire to explore and discover, it would appear that we are currently focused upon expanding our theoretical reach through technology.

Just as in the past, when technological advancements entered our homes and changed our lives, we went through an adjustment period.

©Can Stock Photo/vaeenma

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The advancements of today are no different. Eventually we master the new technology and it becomes a part of our everyday activities.

Certainly the current advancements are more complicated and less rudimentary when compared to past technology and it is advisable to seek out the advice and expertise of knowledgeable professionals when dealing with the new devices and capabilities.

For our cover story this month we were able to assemble a group of local professionals in an attempt to help our readers understand the possibilities and capabilities of the Smart technology that is currently revolutionizing the world.

The Windsor and Essex County region is blessed to have a collection of knowledgeable professionals in all facets of Smart technology.

Our current gathering of experts for this article provide indisputable evidence of that fact.

Controlling Your World From The Palm Of Your Hand

It is difficult to imagine our current world without cell phones. Everywhere you go, and virtually everything we do now involves our Smartphones in some way and the applications seem to be growing exponentially.

Jake Kigar, Marketing and Social Media Coordinator at KELCOM Wireless, demonstrates the Google Home Mini home device you can pair with your Smartphone for hands-free help when you need it. Powered by Google Assistant, the Home Mini can get you the latest news, help you organize your life and power devices in your home — like your TV. The Home Mini is also compatible with many of the most popular Smart home devices, like Nest. Photo by Rod Denis

Keeping track of the possibilities associated with our phones is an ever expanding task and it is good to know that

with each new model we have professionals available to guide and inform us.

Over the course of their 49 years in business, the team at KELCOM Wireless, working out of 363 Eugenie Street East, Windsor (KelcomWireless.ca) are smack dab in the middle of the advancements within the local telecommunications industry.

Jake Kigar, Marketing and Social Media Coordinator was able to share some of the information he has gathered during his four years of personal experience in the field and is a TELUS WISE Ambassador for a national program educating Canadians about Smartphone and Internet safety.

“Our cell phones have gone well beyond their traditional capabilities of calling and texting,” he indicates. “Now we see them do many things and operate many of our household items through apps. You can control your thermostat, your lights, televisions, garage doors, and basically any outlet in your home if it’s connected!”

The benefits of the ever-expanding interactive capabilities of our Smart phones and our home are many.

“Smart home devices can make your day more efficient,” Kigar says and he asks, “How nice would it be to wake up, turn on your lights, start your coffee maker and adjust the temperature in your house with your phone as you start to get ready for your day?”

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Kigar suggests you “Check out your device’s home app (Home for Apple and Samsung Smart Home for Samsung) and you’ll begin to see just how many things you can connect to your Smartphone.”

The possibilities for this technology seems endless as Kigar informs, “Just this month one of the most well-known Smart home technology companies, Nest, launched new doorbell and lock devices that connect with their mobile app. With these devices you can lock and unlock your door remotely and have full video conversations with someone at your doorstep through your phone.”

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Make Your Someday Happen Looking to upsize? Downsize? Or simply ready for a change?

We have a range of mortgage solutions. Together, we’ll find the one that’s right for you! Buying property is a big decision. We can help by answering your questions about affordability, down payment options, interest rates, and more!

Let’s work together. We share an important common goal: to make sure you get the home you really want.

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Sr. Mobile Mortgage Specialist (519)564-6605

B IZ X M A G A Z IN E • A P R IL 2 0 1 8

The demands upon our home computers, Wi-Fi systems, and networks are another aspect of the technology boom in our homes.

Our reliance on these technologies becomes even more critical as they become more intertwined in our day to day life.

Ensuring your system is up to the task is imperative to ensure you can achieve your desired capabilities. MDG Computers Tecumseh LTD., located at 13300 Tecumseh Road East, Suite 220, (MdgComputersTecumseh.ca) has been servicing the computer related issues of the Essex County region for the past two years and Samir Hrnjadovic, President/Owner has over 18 years of personal experience to draw upon. (see photo on page 22) The way that we utilize our home computers and networks has changed dramatically in recent times.

“Today, my personal computer is integrated into my home network where I can quickly access it from anywhere in the world that I have Internet access,” states Hrnjadovic.

“It is used for remote surveillance, it is also linked with two more televisions wirelessly from where I can access variety of media files and play them on the TV.” With the demand on these systems it makes the average guy wonder how to keep up with the technology!

“Wireless systems are a fast growing and fast changing technology,” says Hrnjadovic.

“They are constantly improving and changing to meet the consumer’s demand. We provide a variety of wireless devices such as routers, access points, and range extenders. All of these devices come in different strength and features to meet one’s needs.”

The professionals like MDG should be able to assist the average consumer as they venture into this new age.

“We are in an era that virtually everything is being designed and converted to be remotely and wirelessly controlled,” indicates Hrnjadovic adding, “Car garage doors, thermostats, appliances, indoor

lightning are being controlled wirelessly therefore our wireless routers need to be compatible and strong enough to support all that with its strength and range.”

As Hrnjadovic contemplates the advancements of the future he indicates, “One of the biggest technological advancements for our near future would be Artificial Intelligence (AI). How this is going to reflect upon our traditional computers and Wi-Fi systems soon, we will hopefully find out.”

Home Security At Your Fingertips

The security of one’s home, possessions, and family is more than a convenience.

The incorporation of telecommunication technology and Smartphone capabilities as it relates to the security of our houses is likely one of the most important developments in this area.

Staying up to speed on the recent advancements in home security technology and developments is a priority for Security ONE situated at 200 Sherk Street in Leamington (see: SecurityOneAlarm.com).

Security ONE has been helping protect the residences of Biz X readers for the past 40 years and Dustin Vermast, Director of Sales and Loyalty Operations was able to set aside some time for us to answer our questions.

When it comes to the current capabilities of our Smartphones Vermast expresses, “It’s a truly amazing area of our business that we’ve seen transform greatly over the past five to10 years. It was a huge accomplishment when cell phones allowed you to arm and disarm and stay engaged with your alarm system wherever you were.”

Vermast continues by saying, “Remote access to cameras is also a huge part of our industry these days, with clients interested in checking in on their homes, children, or pets, all with a swipe of a thumb.”

The advantages to having this type of access are obvious. Vermast offers, “it is more about convenience and complete

Art has a new canvas with “The Frame,” an innovative design concept from Samsung that exudes elegance as a framed piece of art and a 4K television. The Frame — a groundbreaking intersection of art and technology — beautifies any space in your home, adding personality to a room by displaying art and your own photos. For more information, visit: Samsung.com/ca/tvs/theframe/highlights. Photo courtesy of Samsung Canada.

control. The Smartphone technology has enabled users to be alerted by a push notification at the first sign of any abnormal behaviour.”

Beyond the convenience is the aspect of control. He notes, “We’ve all been there, needing something picked up or dropped off, and trying to organize how it can happen. Remote access allows for control of the alarm and door locks. This makes for access that is more reliable, safer, and provides tighter control.”

Adapting to and incorporating these new capabilities is imperative and Vermast points out that he is “proud to be part of an organization that thinks ahead of the game, and is always on the leading edge of technology.

Our research and strategy teams are always scouring news articles, blogs, trade shows, and the Internet for what is on the horizon.”

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Wrapping things up, in this section, he concludes, “I think it’s so important for our clients that we keep them informed on this up and coming technology and provide them with cutting edge products that will provide them the peace of mind they desire.”

“The Idiot Box” Of The Past Has Now Become A Smart TV

The evolution of the television has been an interesting one. From the first ever television broadcast by John Baird in 1928 to the arrival of colour televisions in the late ’50s, the home television has woven itself into the fabric of our society. In the years that followed the television changed the way we passed our time in our homes.

In recent times the typically standard television has evolved once again into the

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Smart version of the medium. The capabilities of Smart televisions are constantly changing and broadening the possibilities of home entertainment. Elegant and versatile flat screens such as the Samsung Frame (see photo page 21) are changing the way we watch the telly!

Ernie’s TV at 29 Main Street East, Kingsville (ErniesTV.ca) has been serving the residents of Essex County for the past 44 years and features Samsung products.

Ernie Demarse, Owner and President of Ernie’s TV was able to share a few thoughts and stories with us on the advancement of television technology since the days they first opened their doors back in 1974.

“When we started in business, the only dominant programming in this area was via antenna where you received local channels and the big three networks,” recalls Demarse.

“We even sold some 12” black and white sets back then!”

When considering the changes in the technology from back in the beginning he comments, “The changes that have taken place since then have been in display technology. We have evolved from cathode ray tubes that were bulky and heavy to the current LED which has better light properties and is lighter and cheaper to run.”

Picture quality is certainly something that

in the Toronto market. (Writer’s note: it is only a matter of time before the majority of the content we see is in the higher 4K resolution.)

When discussing the merits of Smart technology Demarse leaves us with, “The chief benefit to Smart television technology has been in content. Depending on the computer literacy of the consumer, the benefit of a Smart television is the same as streaming from a laptop or computer but in higher resolution.”

Getting Wired For Success

MDG Computers President Samir Hrnjadovic stands at the ready to assist you with all of your computer and Wi-Fi needs. Photo courtesy of Maradona Asheaia.

has advanced the way we watch as well.

“The current displays can operate in 4K,” notes Demarse. “The 4K format in this area only currently available is via streaming, gaming, or on 4K DVDs with a 4K player,” he mentions though that live sporting events are available in 4K through some providers

All of the amazing technologies we have mentioned in the body of this article are tied together by one common thread – electricity! Without a reliable, safe, and adequate supply of electrical power the devices and technology we have covered are useless. There are several considerations in supplying the power to our devices and home entertainment systems.

Richard Hansen Electric of Windsor (RichardHansenElectric.com) has been installing and safe guarding the electrical systems of area residents for the past 12 years and Richard Hansen, Owner, President, Master Electrician, and Red Seal Electrician was excited to be part of this article and

• net-metering • off grid • solar hot water • grid-connect battery systems

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share some of his 17 years of professional experience with us.

When discussing the changes in demand for the wiring related to the new Smart home technologies Hansen notes, “It has helped to have less communication wires running to your sound system and TV. Now the new Smart TVs may only need a COAX and/or HDMI cable running to it plus the power feed.”

He adds, “Making sure there are enough receptacles in the area of the equipment used to avoid a lot of power bars or extension cords as being directly plugged into a receptacle is best.”

Hansen suggests, “It is best to have a dedicated electrical circuit just for your sound and television entertainment system and if your computer and Internet equipment is located in a different area of the home another dedicated electrical circuit is advisable.”

He continues, “It is very important to have surge protection. Industry standard is to have two levels of protection.”

Hansen goes on to elaborate: “The first level involves a whole home surge protection device installed on the main electrical panel.

The second level surge protection is located at the point of power utilization with a surge protected receptacle or quality surge

Welcome To My Smart Home

Having designated, surge protected circuits is always recommended to protect and power your Smart devices according to Richard Hansen, Master Electrician and Red Seal Electrician. Photo by Rod Denis.

protected power bar. And lastly to complete the system you need surge protection devices on in-coming telephone lines and incoming Cable or Satellite COAX lines. This now gives you complete protection from power surges.”

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We have touched upon many of the amazing capabilities you can anticipate incorporating into your daily life. However, the possibilities do not end with what we have mentioned in this article.

The ability to connect with and control virtually everything in our homes is certainly within our grasp.

Between Smart routers you can reset remotely — devices such as Google Home, Amazon Echo, and your Smartphone — just about everything within your home can stay within your technological reach.

We have the ability to control the environment within our home through apps on our phones, thereby conserving energy and creating comfort via Smart thermostats.

Beyond comfort we can also control everything from coffee makers, kettles, vacuums, security cameras, and even crock pots!

The list goes on and is destined to grow as we identify areas of our lives that can benefit from this technology.

Imagine one day ordering your groceries, monitoring their delivery, remotely unlocking your door, disabling the alarm, watching the delivery person put the items away for you, and then rearming the system once they have departed . . . all from your desk at work!

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Your Budget, Your Dream, Your Reality If you’re looking to maximize your real estate investment by preparing to sell a property, simply undertaking a large home or commercial improvement project, or just want a unique personalized flare to your home that makes a statement, Brandon Cassidy and House Flip INC. might just be the answer.

After establishing his business in 2015, Cassidy has used his extensive background in home and business renovations to pull together expertise from eight different home improvement companies he owns to make sure everything comes together efficiently and cost effectively.

“Having a multi-skilled staff that encompasses all tradesmen needed to do all forms of interior and exterior renovations eliminates the need for other companies thus saving substantial overhead costs for our clients,” says Cassidy. “We do everything with our own team which makes costly scheduling errors a thing of the past.”

Cassidy launched House Flip INC. in Toronto but has since moved back to Windsor, his home town, for personal reasons and it didn’t take long for the serial entrepreneur to realize that the Essex County area is a prime location for his company.

“I have friends here and colleagues I have worked with in the past, so I have many great people I trust and I know the work they are capable of doing,” notes Cassidy.

He started with a small project in Walkerville, one of the city’s hottest neighborhoods.

Proving that word of mouth is often the best way of building a business, Cassidy quickly found himself doing landscaping, a basement renovation and a rear-access sliding barn door and fence for neighbours who were impressed by the work being done

by House Flip INC. contractors.

“I did a roof for a friend and before I knew it, I was doing work with the neighbours on both sides of his house and it has really blossomed from there,” adds Cassidy.

In addition to transforming homes and businesses into attractive and unique properties, Cassidy is a firm believer in home ownership opportunities for all Canadians.

In order to further that belief, Cassidy is also spearheading a movement towards creating a community of tiny homes.

Cassidy and his team have already begun construction on four one-of-a-kind tiny homes and have incorporated solar power into each design. The goal is to start a buzz about this new form of affordable housing for Windsorites.

These small residences can be accommodated in expansive shipping containers or utility trailers. They can be the answer to home ownership for people living in highdensity neighbourhoods where real estate is in short supply and also extremely expensive.

This experience with tight spaces allows Cassidy to transform attics and basements in traditional homes into attractive, well-conceived, functional living spaces.

Beyond the purely commercial side of Cassidy’s businesses, he’s committed to green conservation, organic gardening and permaculture. Cassidy and his House Flip INC. team often use pallets throughout the construction process in an effort to keep them out of landfills and off city streets.

“We reuse and repurpose pallet wood for custom furniture pieces and feature walls in redeveloped properties as well as decks and fences,” says Cassidy. “We even use pallet wood in our construction process for framing fireplaces, the bottom plate when framing walls and even when we create six-by-six posts.”

He adds, “In addition to being green and super-fabulous to work with, using pallets achieves our goal of reusing, recycling and repurposing as much as possible.”

Cassidy also encourages his House Flip INC. workers to be as ecologically aware as possible by using recyclable construction materials and including repurposed and/or restored furniture or other items as much as possible in renovation projects.

“All of our renovations are based on ‘client passion’ for the project as well as the clients’ vision and my staffs’ artisanship and creativity,” says Cassidy. “Our outside the box eccentric designs make our projects more like an art installation rather than a renovation. It’s that which sets us and the final unique result apart from others.”

He’s also a firm believer in passing along his passion, philosophy and expertise to future generations on the importance of being ‘green’ wherever possible and starting organic school vegetable gardens thus teaching children that they can grow their own organic food at home.

“This is Ontario and it’s easy to save money and eat healthier here,” notes Cassidy. “What we are feeding our kids is important and by bringing organic gardening to grade schools we will be growing a tangible, sustainable, healthy and organic cafeteria program. “We can thrive as individuals and as a community and it all starts with one seed,” he believes.

Brandon Cassidy, OWNER @HouseFlipINC

@HouseFlipINC

Cassidy’s passion and attention to detail was developed by working alongside his father Wayne Cassidy in the family renovation business when he was as young as eight years old. As a youngster under his father’s expert and watchful eye, the young Cassidy would learn how to erect stud walls and hang drywall before graduating into building homes with his father.

“It was purely child labour,” says Cassidy, laughing. “My dad was a perfectionist and as a child I hated it! But I wouldn’t change it for the world. It has made me the person I am today — another perfectionist!”

Today, Cassidy wants to use that passion for knowledge by passing it along to grade school students eager to learn about renewable resources for gardening and developing self-sustaining eco-systems (permaculture) as a major part of renovation and home-building projects.

Cassidy’s knowledgeable House Flip INC. contractors also specialize in interior and exterior transformations, kitchen and bathroom renovations, landscaping, masonry work, flooring, decks and fences as well as restoration and interior design. (check out the accompanying photos here as a few great examples!)

Property management services are also offered.

Cassidy is also a strong believer in supporting his community, especially in times of disaster. In the aftermath of the recent flooding of countless homes in Windsor and Tecumseh, Cassidy and his House Flip INC. team displayed their empathy by providing flood-relief services and renovations at substantially reduced costs.

“As a community, we have to be there for one another,” says Cassidy. Currently, the House Flip INC. team is working on a renovation project to turn World Cottage at 553 Ouellette Avenue into a law office for Nadia Bhatti, the daughter of Riaz Bhatti,

who recently closed his long time gift store at that location.

“We’re installing an indoor basketball court that will act as a dual purpose space and convert into a home theatre to add a very unique amenity to this modern law office in a very iconic Windsor building,” explains Cassidy of his unique design ideas. “We’re beyond eccentric when it comes to design and that’s what our clients love about House Flip INC.” Cassidy was also involved in the opening of The Man’s Shop and Barbershop Bar at 2587 Howard Avenue.

The interior now includes pews dating back to the 1860s which Cassidy rescued from a church in Hamilton.

From loft spaces with tube slides, firemen poles and murals to secret passages and rooms hidden behind bookcases and even a custom fish tank utilized as a backsplash, House Flip INC. contractors build upon and try to enhance the clients’ vision into new and exciting designs that add a “WOW” factor to any space.

519.984.FLIP (3547) Office@HouseFlipINC.com www.HouseFlipINC.com

GENERATION YKNOT

From Smartphone To Smart Home

By Danielle Gifford

W

e’ve all left the house and suddenly remembered we forgot something important. The garage door was never closed, the coffee maker is still on.

Then you even start to wonder if you locked the doors.

Today, you no longer have to turn back or call your neighbours. You have a personal assistant — only they are virtual and have names like Alexa, Siri, and Google.

Need milk? Tell your fridge. Want to come home to a clean house? Turn

3 Reasons to get a Libro Mortgage Libro takes the financial stress and surprise out of the home-buying process. Libro helps you build down payments, arrange financing, budget for all the costs of buying a home and get through the ‘close’ without a financial worry.

Coaching Libro Coaches help you get through the purchase feeling confident and ready to move.

Libro is local Find 31 branches and an administration office right here in southwestern Ontario.

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Experience the Libro difference.

Contact a Libro Mortgage Coach today! Visit libro.ca/mortgages or call 1-800-361-8222.

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on Roomba. Want to see furniture in your house before you purchase it?

Use Augmented Reality.

With the rapid growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) the level of home automation and communication is a reality.

From Smartphone to Smart home these are some of the technologies I see becoming a staple to making life more convenient.

Google Home And Alexa Both Google Home and Alexa are Smart home devices that let you turn your home into an automated, voice-activated, voicecontrolled hub. Each cylindrical looking tube connects to a power source and over the Internet (hence the term Internet of Things).

After waking up the speaker with its command words either “Alexa” or, “Okay, Google” users can automate various activities.

For example, you can ask what the weather will be like today or, ask to add ice cream to the shopping list. Each device can answer almost any question and carry out tasks that are performed on your Smartphone.

Nest When it comes to saving money on your monthly energy bill or reducing your carbon footprint, the Nest thermostat will be your best friend. Not only does it help with controlling energy consumption it helps to provide a comfortable environment making everyone happy.

Did I mention it was smart? Nest thermostats start learning about your system and home right away and eventually will automatically switch temperatures you like when you are home.

Nest also has an add on for baby monitors.

You can see your little one or talk to them at any time through the push of a button on your Smartphone — or even from your wrist — using your Apple watch.

Our Future Is Digital Technology is changing in the home and let me tell you it’s awesome. We are on the brink of a Smart-home boom.

According to Intel Corporation, 71% of consumers are expecting to see a least one Smart-home device in every home by 2025.

Unlike any generation before us, we know how to design and build our dreams.

Danielle Gifford is an alumnus of the University of Windsor with a dual degree in Honours Psychology and Business. She is passionate about entrepreneurship, strategy, technology, and women in leadership.

HAVE A CUP OF JOE WITH JOE

The Heat Is On

Story And Photos By Joe McParland

R

ight around “International Women’s Day” in early March, I paid a visit to a remarkable business woman who had been featured in a short article in our April 2010 issue of Biz X magazine.

Patricia Bastien is the Owner of Great Lakes Technical Training (GLTT), a private training centre registered under the authority of the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Act. Located in an industrial park at 6460 Hawthorne Drive in Windsor, it provides courses for Gas Technicians (levels 1, 2, 3) and HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) training both on a part time and full time basis.

GLTT was originally housed in the building of J.E. Murphy Heating and Air Conditioning when it was located in LaSalle. When the LaSalle business was sold to Fahrhall Home Comfort Specialists in 2009, Bastien purchased the training business and relocated to its current location.

Photographed during a recent class, GLTT students from left — Chris Brown, Chris Hachey, Bruce Jewell, Damian Meggo, Nick Zikantas, Thair Haji-Mahmoud, Dante Bergeron (kneeling) — receive hands on training from Instructor Mike Bonter.

Bastien has a long background in this trade as she recounts here: “I’ve worked for Reliance, Union Gas, and J.E. Murphy.

When J.E. Murphy was sold and the training centre business temporarily ceased, I found myself unemployed in mid-life. And this was after I had been laid-off three times in three years. So, I decided to ‘buy myself a job’ and I purchased GLTT.” But, her timing in buying the business presented its challenges. Not only was the area reeling from the recession in the early 2000s, but she was now heading a male dominated “skilled trades” business that,

Hard at work in her office, the Owner of GLTT, Patricia Bastien is definitely a woman on a mission!

until now, had not seen a middle-aged woman at the helm.

In McMaster University’s Automotive Policy Research Centre’s “Industry Profile: Automotive Manufacturing in Canada in 2013,” author Brendan Sweeney describes the precarious state of our once flourishing auto industry national, with specific impact on the Windsor Essex Region . . .

“While automotive manufacturing has regained some of the ground lost during the recent economic downturn, production and employment remain well below those of the decade between 1996 and 2006. Production capacity in several automotive parts subsectors is decimated and Canada’s balance of trade has been negative since 2007. These are particular causes for concern.”

As a result, Windsor Essex, understandably, took the nation’s hardest hit, unfortunately leading the country with the highest rates of unemployment. This signalled to the region the necessity of diversifying its manufacturing base.

The resulting efforts have been impressive.

According to the latest labour force survey by Statistics Canada, Windsor’s unemployment rate was at 4.6 percent in January 2018, lower than the national level of 5.9 percent.

Windsor has always prided itself on having a skilled workforce. It just needed some reorientation and skill updates for newer and diverse manufacturing. With the baby boomer generation retiring in large numbers, new opportunities were presenting themselves to the younger generations, often at a pace where there were not enough available B IZ X M A G A Z IN E • A P R IL 2 0 1 8

workers for job opportunities. Therefore, GLTT, along with St. Clair College, helps address the shortage of certified gas fitters and HVAC technicians in their curriculums.

Bastien is a diminutive, middle-aged woman who casts a big shadow among the students and trainers. She appears to be comfortable among the HVAC prototypes, boilers, washing machines and assorted apparatus just like many women her age might feel comfortable in their own kitchens. She even returned to the classroom and successfully completed her G3 gas technician course.

The instructors at GLTT are all certified gas technicians. Some instruct full time, while others instruct on a part time basis while working full time in the field. All share a passion for what they do and an eagerness to properly train willing students.

According to Bastien, “the HVAC community is very small, so everybody knows everybody. It’s not like we are going to the general public in search of instructors; it’s usually guys we know from company to company.”

As well many of the instructors play a significant role in securing full time work for the students they teach upon successful completion of their training.

GLTT’s students range from young teens to middle-aged workers seeking retraining for a new career. They come from as far as Sarnia to receive this training. Like their instructors, some take courses full time, while others are attending part time a few nights a week, while also working full time.

Their training is a combination of classroom lectures and hands on experience.

They start with a G3 designation, moving on to the industry-seeking G2 license level and can then advance to the G3 designation allowing for larger commercial work opportunities. All students must complete the requisite number of hours and successfully pass their provincial exams under the Technical Standards and Safety Authority.

Since GLTT is a private school, students do not qualify for financial assistance though the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP). However, there are many other sources of financial assistance for students who have been displaced from their jobs.

Prospective students should register with an Unemployed Help Centre and have a counsellor assist them.

Bastien also points out that “Some students will already be working in the field and their company will assist them in the financial costs to help them achieve their licensing.”

For more information on GLTT, visit their website: GreatLakesTechnicalTraining.com.

I look forward to perhaps another writeup on Bastien and her successful business in eight years time!

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TAKE THE LEAD

Leading With “Value” And “Values”

By Sherrilynn Colley-Vegh

I

recently led a leadership workshop and a few staff members from Tepperman’s attended.

In a reflective activity I asked what three things Tepperman’s represented. It was interesting that education, family values and philanthropy were listed immediately. It made me realize what a positive impact this three-generation family business has had on communities. These successful business leaders go up against big box competitors through a value based service, using a collaborative model spanning 93 years.

Nate Tepperman started this family legacy in 1925 selling home goods door-to-door after his arrival from Russia. In 1929 he opened his first store on Ottawa Street moving to Ouellette and expanding to a 30,000 foot showroom.

In 1958 Nate and Rose’s son Bill joined management and in 1981 they expanded to Chatham; Sarnia in 1993; London 1997 and finally in Kitchener in 2016.

They are now the largest independent home furnishings store in Canada with almost 500 employees and Andrew and Noah, the sons of Bill and Rochelle at the helm.

How do they compete with big box chains?

It’s simple — they are “different.”

There are two sides to Tepperman’s — the “Servant” side and “Service” side and both reflect the same values. They have created a “caring” sense of family in the workplace collaborating and making people feel valued.

Their style of servant leadership and focus on “paying it forward” results in higher employee retention as staff treat everyone with dignity and feel a part of making their communities better.

Their desire to evolve and improve has created a focus on sustainability resulting in Environmental Leadership Awards for initiatives like: free electric car charging,

For Andrew (left) and Noah Tepperman, the furniture business is all about family values. Photo courtesy of Tepperman’s.

waste tracking, using TPO membrane roofs, LED lighting and styrofoam emulsifiers.

Tepperman’s leadership has three levels of contribution: first up, company-wide examples — all participate in the scholarship program (over $1 million by 2025) and raise funds for United Way. The next level of philanthropy is investing in store specific projects unique to each community such as the C.P. Holiday Train raising money for the Inn of the Good Shepherd in Sarnia.

Another project in Kitchener distributed $50,000 to 10 programs and Windsor’s Junior Achievement partnership in schools teach financial knowledge, work preparedness and entrepreneurship.

The last type of service is employee driven, involving ongoing monthly and annual staff volunteer programs.

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What is the key to their family success and longevity? Andrew and Noah reply: “Our family strives to maintain an ethical style of business that creates loyal repeat customers through a positive shopping experience.”

Part of that experience is financing terms with customized payment plans. They are the only retailers that don’t use third party banks.

This strategy originated when Nate Tepperman realized he could differentiate by offering in-house family financing which created greater loyalty and allowed greater payment flexibility during economic downturns.

In an August 2017 article by Norman DeBono of the London Free Press, Michael Pearce, a Business Professor at the Western University Richard Ivey School of Business, who specializes in the retail sectors, gave his opinion on the Tepperman’s success: “It’s all about their ability to focus on the local market, they know what is appropriate for people in their area and do things that resonate with consumers there.”

According to Forbes magazine “only 10% of family businesses pass to the grandchildren generation.” (The first generation makes it, second generation spends it and third generation blows it!)

Keys to success are good planning, financial discipline and seeing themselves as stewards of a greater good.

This stewardship and sense of community responsibility is the reason the Tepperman family will be around a rare fourth generation and that’s what I consider “value with great values.”

Sherrilynn Colley-Vegh is the Director of Leadership and Training for the United Way’s Leadership Windsor/Essex program (LeadershipWindsor-Essex.org). She is a recently retired Principal and Chief Communications Officer for the Catholic School Board with over 30 years of experience as an educator, administrator, and community leader. She is also an entrepreneur, owning a number of successful businesses over the years, allowing her to sharpen her business management skills in areas such as marketing, sales and social media.

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portfolio corner

Volatility, My Friend

By Steven Mayo

In early February the stock markets went through a very quick drop. The question now, is this a precursor of what’s to come?

For the last couple of years a market correction of 10% or more seemed unlikely, yet corrections are a normal part of investing. From a portfolio point of view, volatility can be a good thing.

As a result of ultra-low interest rates the markets had taken on an ingrained belief that there were no other options than stocks.

With this thinking, the risk/reward balance was shifted to the reward side too much.

There’s nothing like a good “smack to the face” to wake you up. I believe “risk” will be more talked about in 2018.

For example, in 2017 investments like Bitcoin were considered great opportunities for profitable trades, without consideration of the risks involved. That is now changing.

It reminds me of the dotcom mentality of 1999. All of this talk of new “opportunities” while established industries such as utilities

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have had a 15% correction, partly because of rising interest rates and lack of interest in the sector. If there is a need for dividend income in your portfolio this sector should be considered.

There are 11 primary sectors in the markets, some up, some down, but looking under the hood will help unveil some true bargains.Today’s message is that volatility is likely back, and interest rates are likely to rise more, but not by too much.

A recent comment in an RBC Dominion Securities research summary provides a good opinion on this: “Rising rates and normalizing inflation levels do not automatically open the door to an equity bear market, but they may open the door to further market adjustments. Until the stock market has a better grasp on where interest rates are headed, there could be a tug of war between those who think higher yields are going to climb further and those who think the move in yields is overdone.”

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In the meantime, the U.S. and global economies are strong and corporate profit trends are good. I believe that investors should upgrade their portfolios on corrections and continue to add to U.S. and Canadian companies that are North American and/or global in nature.

Volatility reminds us that stock positions do no always go up. Risk is a permanent loss of capital, not volatility of investment returns.

Wealth creation is not smooth. It’s volatility that allows for excellent buying opportunities — and if you can sprinkle in some patience — the result will be improved long term portfolio returns.

I leave you with this quote to consider: “Your net worth to the world is usually determined by what remains after your bad habits are subtracted from your good ones.” ~ Benjamin Franklin Steven Mayo is a Vice President, Investment Advisor with RBC Dominion Securities Inc. (Member — Canadian Investor Protection Fund). This article is not intended as nor does it constitute investment advice. Readers should consult a qualified professional before taking any action based on information in this article.

CORPORATE SPOTLIGHT

Calling All Angels Wanting To Help Shape The Future Economy Story And Photo By Dave Hall

A

four year old local organization is helping connect investors with fledgling companies seeking seed money as well as second-stage investment which provides opportunities for growth and expansion.

The Windsor-Essex Capital Angel Network (WECAN) was established in 2014 by local accredited investors and has already helped generate funding for a number of local companies with more to come in the future.

“It’s not a pool of funds and WECAN itself does not provide investment money,” notes Colin McKillop, WECAN’s Executive Director. “Instead, we act as a facilitator by bringing investors together with companies seeking investment in an informal setting.”

One such meeting took place in late February when executives of three companies were invited to make presentations to a group of investors at the Art Gallery of Windsor.

The meetings provide accredited investors with opportunities to review up to five startup companies from across Ontario, Canada and the Great Lakes states.

Included were Arthur Barbut, Chief Executive Officer of the Accelerator, which helps start-up companies gain a foothold in the marketplace by providing office space and mentoring opportunities.

Executives from two other new companies made video presentations — Needls from Toronto provides customized advertising messages by focusing on customer’s needs and Innovative Billboards LLC of Southfield, Michigan retrofits standard roadside billboards into boards which can scroll through 20 different marketing messages.

“It’s not just the technology and the ideas which investors are seeking,” explains WECAN President Omer Hageniers. “We’re also looking for confident individuals who

Arthur Barbut, left, Chief Executive Officer of the Accelerator and Colin McKillop, Executive Director of the WindsorEssex Capital Angel Network (WECAN), chat during a recent investor dinner and meeting at the Art Gallery of Windsor.

can sell themselves and their ideas and are willing to persevere in the face of the many obstacles which face new companies.”

Hageniers adds, “Our process is similar to the Dragons’ Den (CBC) television show but we are kinder although we still ask tough questions.”

McKillop points out that investors provide primarily seed money to help launch new companies as well as additional funds to provide expansion and growth opportunities.

In the case of the Accelerator, which recently moved from downtown Windsor to 1501 Howard Avenue, the organization is seeking a partner to provide funding to help complete the purchase of its new building.

“We’re asking for $600,000 to fund our real estate acquisition,” explains Barbut.

“Half of the building already has tenants which is what makes it viable for investors.”

He continues by stating, “By expanding our footprint from 6,500 sq. ft. to more than 55,000 sq. ft, we are now able to provide more

B IZ X M A G A Z IN E • A P R IL 2 0 1 8

office space and incubation opportunities for companies as far away as Toronto who are hoping to launch into U.S. markets.”

McKillop says that following these meetings, investors are asked to provide information about their level of investment interest in new companies and then WECAN arranges face-to-face meetings so that both parties can move ahead with potential investment agreements.

Since 2015, WECAN has hosted 150 early and mid-stage companies from across 30 industry sectors seeking investment ranging from $100,000 to $3 million.

WECAN is a member of Angel Investors Ontario. Since the provincial network’s inception in 2007, more than $300 million in investment has been provided to companies across Ontario, creating or retaining close to 10,000 jobs.

For more information on WECAN or to join the monthly dinner meetings, visit: WeAngelNetwork.com.

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THIS ISSUE FEATURES . . .

FOR THOUGHT

Old Dutch Guys Chocolate, 2 Main Street West, Kingsville, ON

By David Clark

On the trendy corner of Main and Other parts used to complete the Division in Kingsville, a must stop chain of design are proprietary, world of custom chocolate creations created and owned by Old Dutch is a destination for those with the most Guys Chocolate (ODGC). discerning of palettes.

What everyone wants to know is: When you’re in this marketplace, what kind of surprises come out of drop by and indulge yourself in the best those moulds?

Belgian chocolate available — it’s 100% The Truffles are front and centre in hand-crafted culinary art. the shop — all 24 flavours. They are True chocolatiers to be and craftsmen all sinfully delicious and some of the from the Netherlands met each other by favourites include: Honey Lavender, coincidence in this area some time ago.

The Caramel, Latte Macchiato, They discussed the many things they Red Chile and Raspberry. With the had in common and decided to form a Truffles, some of the ingredients are Cor Boon (left) and Henry Noestheden invite you to experience their chocolate partnership named Old Dutch Guys wonderland. Photos courtesy of Cor Boon. locally sourced.

Chocolate in May of 2017.

Generally the big attention getter Owner/Operator(s), Cor Boon is a champion that no commercially available moulds on the store floor goes to the cast chocolate wood carver and Henry Noestheden is a would be used.” animal figures. sculptor and designer by trade.

He continues to explain: “Before a mould You have the birds, snails, beetles, frogs, “It’s all about the proprietary moulds in which to cast chocolate can be made it dogs, cats and more. Additionally, a new for the chocolate that makes Old Dutch so requires a pattern made of any number of series of wildlife portraits cast on a round groundbreaking,” says Boon. “When planning materials. Our patterns would be hand-carved coin-shaped medallion is available. our new chocolate business, it was decided Basswood or Tupelo Gum wood. Every Another wildlife series includes the that our product offering would be uniquely chocolate item in our store was first hand- Hummingbird at a Trumpet Flower, Owl, beautiful and not available elsewhere and carved in one of the aforementioned woods.” Moose, Trillium Flower, Loon and other

“Jack is a computer wiz who will keep your business computers humming!”

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519-252-4357 www.safe-and-secure-computing.com 32

B IZ X M A G A Z IN E • A P R IL 2 0 1 8

With grace, the Hummingbird tastefully welcomes spring.

delicacies. The Belgian Dark Chocolate Wildlife Portraits are becoming quite popular at the shop, visually stunning and a tantalizing gift.

The most popular individual selections are the Blue Jay, the Cardinal and a box of five Dark Chocolate Beetles. Also, from the Wildlife Series of Medallions are the Hummingbird, Owl, and Butterflies.

“When you arrive to seek your treasure, you will notice the store is minimalist, uncluttered with a clean interior space — the focus is on the chocolate!” exclaims Boon.

The chocolate creations are such a work of art that it brings great joy to savour them.

You’ll see the chocolate beautifully displayed in custom glass cases.

The design of the shop allows the customer to view the process of creating the chocolate in the back area too. A window separates the two areas, allowing customers to see where it all happens.

The vision for ODGC is to develop the business as a part of the community and offer new dealers the opportunity to share this high quality brand in other areas as well.

Slowly but surely the Painted Turtle swims its way to chocolate heaven.

Taking note of ODGC, the “Jimmy” Award from Travel Editor Jim Byers of the Toronto Star recently acknowledged them for the “Best Chocolate” Award. The review was for quality, design and service.

At the moment, Old Dutch Guys Chocolate is presently experiencing a facelift and will be named Dutch Boys Chocolate.

Also, a new website is currently under construction but for now, to learn more information about the business regarding hours and products, check out: Facebook.com/OldDutchGuysChocolate.

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The 20th Annual In Honour Of The Ones We Love “Emerald And Champagne Gala”

HOT SHOTS HOT SHOTS HOT SHOTS HOT February 3, 2018 at the Ciociaro Club, 3745 North Talbot Road, Oldcastle, ON. Photos by Rod Denis. All people in photos listed from the left.

1. The 20th gala for In Honour of the Ones We Love (IHOWL) was another special evening with committee members — Founder Sergio Imperioli, Sue Mancini, Tina Caviedes, Don Thibert and Laura Imperioli — thanking guests, sponsors and supporters for celebrating 20 years of helping families with cancer and other illnesses in the community. To view further information on this organization visit: InHonour.ca.

2. Self-made multimillionaire and philanthropist Al Quesnel made a surprise visit to the gala with a cheque for $500,000 that he presented to IHOWL committee member Teresa Silvestri and Founder Anita Imperioli. Quesnel acknowledges his difficult past and says by donating to worthy causes this is his way of moving on and giving back to the community he holds so dear.

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3. Representing McDonald’s Restaurants at the gala were: (Standing) Eva & Andy Bukovac, Don & Kim Orton, Alec Bukovac and Rebecca Kirwin.

(Seated): Tony & Nancy Pizzo and Julie & Gene Dennis.

4. Years ago the Motor City Community Credit Union (MCCCU) and IHOWL partnered to name the Paediatric Family Wing on the third floor of Windsor Regional Hospital Metropolitan Campus. Fast forward to the present and the relationship the two organizations share together continues to grow from being their financial provider for 18 years to platinum sponsors for yearly events. MCCCU staff on hand included: Steve Schincariol, V.P. Commercial Banking; Board Members Stephane Boucher, Frank Moceri, Sandra Fisher; Dawn Stallard, Executive Assistant; Don Fraser, Board President; Sue Mancini, Assistant Branch Manager; Sonia Lenhardt, Manager; Charles Janisse, CEO and Robert Griffith, COO.

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5. Westervelt College is one of the oldest colleges in Canada having first opened its doors in 1885 in London, Ontario. Supporters from Westervelt in attendance to congratulate IHOWL on their 20 year emerald anniversary

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SHOTS

To see even more photos from the gala visit “Biz X Was There” on: BizXmagazine.com

7 were: Chris Thibert, AJ Lindsey, Megan Thibert, Donald Thibert, President Westervelt College and Sandy Thibert. (Seated): Lauren Thibert, Samantha Thibert, Andrew Reaume and Julia Robertson.

6. Over 1,000 attended the gala including a group of employees from AM800/Bell Media: Kim and Jim McCourtie, Program Director, 93.9 The River/ 89X/AM580; Gary and Irene Belanger; Manny Paiva, CTV Windsor News Director and Shannon Paiva; Mark Lander; Eli Lander; Holly and Frank Ing; Melissa and

8 Logan Lenarduzzi, Gayle Rankine, John Hatch and Kristen Hazael, AM800 Promotions Coordinator (kneeling).

7. Another gala sponsor was Merchants Paper Company and at their table with a few of their guests were: Jay Marin, Windsor Women Working With Immigrant Women; Allan Cohen, Merchants Paper Company; Alexander Carbonaro, Merchants Paper Company; Stephanie Carbonaro, Evola Builders; Chris James and Sara Ducharme from Macro Foods; Nita Cohen, Chemical

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Bank and Rose Roach & Ed Roach, Sissy & Roché Art Gallery.

8. IHOWL Founder Anita Imperioli was in good company with her two Masters of Ceremonies: Biagio (Bill) Marra, Vice President, External Affairs at Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare and Executive Director of the Changing Lives Together Foundation and Tish Harcus, Global Ambassador, Canadian Club Whiskey.

“In Honour of the Ones We Love” gala photos continue on next page . . .

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The 20th Annual In Honour Of The Ones We Love “Emerald And Champagne Gala” continues

HOT SHOTS HOT SHOTS HOT SHOTS HOT February 3, 2018 at the Ciociaro Club, 3745 North Talbot Road, Oldcastle, ON. Photos by Rod Denis. All people in photos listed from the left.

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9. Windsor Family Credit Union is also proud to support those who support others in the community and once again co-sponsored the IHOWL gala. At the WFCU table we found: David Woodfull, Pauline Hall, Kay Brown, Pam and Bill Seney.

10. The gala pays tribute to individuals who lost their battle with cancer and other major illnesses. A candle was lit to “honour the ones we love” over the past 20 years including members of the Moceri family who are remembered always by: Vince Moceri,

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President of Windsor Disposal Services Ltd. (WDS), wife, Margaret and sister in laws Marylena and Kathy and brother, Frank.

In Honour of the Ones We Love, Inc. is a fundraising organization, founded in 1997, that supports cancer patient care in the Windsor Essex community.

The Committee’s focus is cancer and the devastating effects this disease has on its victims and their families. Each year they host high profile public events as well as educational speaking engagements which attract thousands of attendees. To date IHOWL has raised over $6,000,000.

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SHOTS

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MAKING A SOUND LIVING

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Geared Up For The Road To The Stage Story And Photos By Lori Baldassi

ttention music lovers! What if I told you there’s a place that, each year, hosts like-minded musicians and music store owners from all over the world, each looking for inspiration?

Well look no further than the North American Association of Music Merchants — also known as “NAMM.” Held in Anaheim, California, this annual trade show is created for musicians and music industry professionals. And for 2018 it all went down January 25 to 28 and I was lucky enough to attend on behalf of Biz X magazine!

In its 33rd year, NAMM reached the 115,000 mark in registration and featured 7,000 music brands from around the world.

Can you imagine an entire section for percussion? At NAMM, it’s there.

Familiar names like Ernie Ball, Gibson, Peavey and Yamaha are prevalent and they are not the only companies looking to make a splash.

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King Blossom is a brand-new guitar company that, along with many others, may not have the magic of a long history behind them, but they do have the love and passion of guitar-making in their blood.

One of the interesting features of the event was round table discussions, which were led by industry professionals in areas such as: Music Retail, Audio Production, Event Technology, Music Business and many more.

Ernie Ball’s round table discussion was about an LP record called “The Mutual Admiration Society” which was done in collaboration with John Petrucci (Dream Theater); Steve Morse (Deep Purple, Dixie Dregs, Kansas); Albert Lee; Sterling Ball; Jay Graydon and Steve Lukather (Toto).

The topic centred on how each artist achieved their sound for the song selected.

At NAMM, you’ll see a number of recognizable people in the industry just

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Steve Lukather (Toto) is photographed at NAMM discussing the new release of the album “The Mutual Admiration Society” he is featured on with other well known names.

wandering around looking at the gear and equipment. I bumped into Jason Hook, lead guitarist for Five Finger Death Punch and most recently, documentarian for his film “Hired Gun.” (A must see for musicians to watch on Netflix by the way; I highly recommend it!)

NAMM weekend also includes awards, such as the “Parnelli Awards,” (named after Rick “Parnelli” O’Brien) which recognize pioneering and influential professionals as well as contributions by companies in the live event industry.

As well, Tony Levin, bass player for Peter Gabriel, presented the “Les Paul Innovation Award” at the 33rd annual “Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards” to the 2018 recipient, legendary musician Jackson Browne.

Also on site was the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus, created by Yoko Ono. On the road for more than 20 years, the bus provides media production workshops where students are taught to write, record and produce original songs, music videos and documentaries — all in one day. The bus has two in-house engineers who walk the students through the process.

In terms of the convention as a whole, I’ve never seen such precision in both

Jason Hook made an appearance at the NAMM show, to not only mingle, but also to check out all the new guitar gear. Hook is originally from Oakville, Ontario and now lives in Los Angeles.

the organization of the event as well as the staff.

At the end of each day, numerous outdoor seating areas with bars can be found at every turn, with a fleet of food trucks ready to serve the masses.

Entertainment stages vary in genre and

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are set up on perfectly landscaped areas.

In addition, I did not see any litter.

No one had to wait very long when it came to lineups for food, drinks or washroom breaks. This is a feat that is more than impressive for an event with this many people in attendance!

All I can say is, if you are in the music industry in any shape or form, this is a convention you do NOT want to miss.

Be prepared to be overloaded with solid, tangible news and data from experienced professionals who are happy to communicate not only their experiences, but also how to be better at what you do.

For more information about this mustsee trade show, go to: NAMM.org — thank me later.

From backstage to the airwaves Lori Baldassi has been in and around the music industry for over 21 years. Lori has sat on a number of boards of directors and focused on charity/non-profit committees for concerts/festivals bringing in name acts.

She has also spoken in front of the CRTC. If you have any questions for her please email: editorial@bizxmagazine.com.

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BROUGHT TO YOU BY

PROFILING LOCAL BUSINESSWOMEN

JUDENE McCALLA

By Invititation Only

Story And Photo By Rebecca Wright

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hen it comes to making your event stand out and memorable, it’s all in the details. According to Judene McCalla, Owner of See You There Hand Crafted Invitations, the perfectly designed details she boasts through her business are sure to make a lasting impression.

“See You There is an international awardwinning invitation service, specializing in delightfully beautiful, custom, handmade designs,” describes McCalla. “We will inspire your every invitation need with just the right amount of charm and dazzle that you require for your event.”

McCalla began her business 11 years ago as a home-based venture but recently opened a studio at 315 Pelissier Street, Suite 3 in Windsor.

At See You There Invitations (website: SeeYouThere.ca), McCalla says weddings, birthdays, and showers are examples of services that will always need to be available, but it’s important to be unique with what she offers.

“What sets me apart is my personality and my people skills,” she asserts. “When I am consulting with clients, I am actually selling myself. Over the span of planning their special event, people will have to deal with me on a regular basis. I am genuine and always working hard to make my clients happy. This isn’t just something I do to make money; I have a passion for it and I truly care about people’s happiness.”

And it’s more than invitations that McCalla creates. Her business features customized designs for many details of the event process, from seating charts to thank you cards to table numbers and menus and more.

Owner and Designer Judene McCalla poses with some of her designs inside her sleek studio space located above the Capitol Theatre in downtown Windsor.

McCalla says her inspiration can come from just about anywhere, whether it is from nature or architecture.

“This is where shapes come into my design,” she explains. “I keep a book on my night stand because ideas come to me when it’s silent and still.”

McCalla feels that as a female entrepreneur, it is important support the community of women around you who are also business owners to build up awareness of all the good happening within Windsor Essex.

“There are some extremely talented women here and having support and giving support is key,” she believes.

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McCalla indicates mirror seating charts and laser-cut invitations have become increasingly popular in the last couple of years and it’s a trend that will continue for a while. Invitations set the tone for your event, she adds — a critical aspect that should not be overlooked.

“As soon as someone sees the invitation, they form an opinion about what kind of event it’s going to be and what your style is,” states McCalla. “This is one service people should spend the time and money to personalize and make it exactly what they envision with my help. My work is very creative and people can tell that I put much love into it.”

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Women’s Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor Inc. (WEST) “International Women’s Day Gala”

HOT SHOTS HOT SHOTS HOT SHOTS HOT March 8, 2018 at St. Clair College Centre for the Arts, 201 Riverside Drive West, Windsor.

Photos by Rod Denis. All people in photos listed from the left.

1. Four hundred and seventy women (along with a few brave men — ha ha!) celebrated “International Women’s Day” with all from Women’s Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor Inc. (WEST). Needless to say, the 2018 gala planning committee members were thrilled with the fabulous turnout for the gala.

Smiling for the Biz X photographer were: Joan Simpson, Auramaria Castiblanco, Naheed Ahmed Salman, Dolorfina Torres, Gurpreet Chana, Roopa Tharuvai, Juan Wang, Roopa Gandhi, Erlyn Lucier, Liam Joseph Lucier (little helper) and Stephanie Lyanga.

Read more about how you can become involved with this community organization at: WestOfWindsor.com.

2. Many businesses and organizations showed their support for WEST including the ladies from Green Shield Canada: Heather Courtney, HR Business Partnerships; Heather Awad, Director of Claims Service; Stephanie Lachine, Supervisor, Learning and Development and Kristie Cronin, HR Business Partner.

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3. The St. Clair College Alumni Association was also well represented at the event by Grace and Karen Flannagan, Devin Hurst, Miranda Underwood, Allison Rusling-Bigelow and Joan Rusling.

4. One of the many sponsors of the WEST evening was St. Clair College — with Irene Moore Davis, Lori Kempe, Pam and Dan Allen, Tina and Madeleine Demers, Mariama Henry and Krista Kersey — enjoying the dinner, silent auction, keynote speech and a performance by the Dance Barre.

5. The main highlight of the evening is the presentations of the 2018 “Journey Towards Success Awards.” The recipients are WEST clients who have gone on a challenging journey

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and have been successful in achieving their goals, as well as community partners that have demonstrated a belief in the WEST mission and continue to actively support women on their journey toward success. Sasha Long, CTV Windsor and sponsor Lisa Shulman, AM800/ WEST Board Member (far right) presented the “VIP Award New Business Partner”

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to Jenny Obermok and Diane DiCarlo of Technophar, an innovative soft gel equipment manufacturer for the gelatine capsule industry.

6. Patricia Brown, Barrister and Solicitor received “The Sisterhood Award” from sponsor Windsor Family Credit Union (WFCU) Community Development Consultant Lynsey Millman.

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7. Evian Kassab, IT Developer for TD Technology in London, Ontario, received “The Phenomenal Woman Award” from sponsor Caesars Windsor Cares representative Mary Riley, VP of Marketing Caesars Windsor.

8. Blake and Lindsay Angier, Owners/Artistic Directors of the Dance Barre, received “The Visionary Award” sponsored by CTV. After fulfilling their dreams as professional dancers in Los Angeles they opened a studio in Windsor to call their own. Growing up in a studio environment they realized how important their positions are as teachers. They believe basing their classes on self worth, discipline and respect they will be able to teach the many life lessons that dance has to offer.

9. Congratulations to Jonathon Azzopardi, President and CEO of Laval who received “The Trailblazer Corporate” Award from presenter Ann Diab, sponsor BMO (Bank of Montreal) and WEST Vice President.

10. Biz X magazine sponsored the “Trailblazer Small/Medium Business” Award which was presented by Publisher Deborah Jones to Cheryl Taggart, Director of CommUnity Partnership (CUP) Windsor Essex. First developed in 2005, CUP was formed to revitalize neighbourhoods and support community growth and development. CUP works towards reducing residents’ depth

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of poverty by addressing gaps in services and enhancing opportunities in six primary domains: mental and physical health; advocacy and access to networks; education opportunities; recreation; food security and community sharing/social inclusion.

Missing from photos: “The Innovation Award” recipient, Kylie Masse (Olympic swimmer).

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from the bookshelf

Living Life Childless

By Marlene Markham-Gay

J

RBC Dominion Securities Inc.* and Royal Bank of Canada are separate corporate entities which are affiliated. *Member-Canadian Investor Protection Fund. RBC Dominion Securities Inc. is a member company of RBC Wealth Management, a business segment of Royal Bank of Canada. ®Registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence. ©2018 RBC Dominion Securities Inc. All rights reserved. 17_90621_MSN_002

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enn Sadai, a local author, has just released her fifth book titled “No Kids Required: Twenty Women Share Their Unique Perspectives on Choosing to be Childfree.”

A proud Canadian born in Windsor, Sadai resides with her husband, stepchildren and two labs.

Her first book, “Dark Confessions of an Extraordinary, Ordinary Woman” deals with domestic violence, drugs and depression.

Her second book, “Dirty Secrets of the World’s Worst Employee,” deals with gender equality, sexual harassment and bullying in the workplace. And the third publication in her self-esteem series is “Cottage Cheese Thighs.” It rejects how society perceives the way women should look and teaches the reader how to love her body even with flaws.

Her goal is to use her talents and life experiences to help and inspire anyone who struggles with challenges.

Sadai also published her first fiction novel called “Her Own Hero” and has promised there will be more fiction in 2018. (You can learn more about her books by visiting: JennSadai.com) “No Kids Required” is the story of 20 women who have chosen to remain childfree.

This decision brings with it the encumbrance of feeling the need to defend and explain their decision to curious people and to those who feel they are not fulfilling a traditional role that is the responsibility of all women.

There are many rewards that come with the decision not to have children and there are also burdens. This book is an honest and very informative story about accepting a lifestyle and a very personal choice that should be respected.

Sadai writes, “Every person has a purpose and some women were born to raise our future generations. Most of the wonderful women I know with children have the patience, compassion and dedication necessary to nurture fine future members of society.

Some even gracefully balance careers and a marriage. I have great respect for those women. However, some women have different goals in mind and they are no less valuable to the world than those who chose

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to be a mother.”

Sadai, who has chosen to remain childfree, felt the need to write this book as this lifestyle is one that most mothers, including her own, cannot understand.

Society tends to judge every decision a woman makes. She has given the women who make this decision the opportunity to be heard.

“All of these women are truly beautiful inside and out,” she writes. “They are educated, experienced and generous human beings whose lives transcend far beyond the pages of this story. They understand the purpose of this project and volunteered their time with no expectations or guarantees.

They simply appreciated the chance to share their side of the story.”

To celebrate the launch of “No Kids Required” Sadai hosts an event on April 27 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at The City Grill, 375 Ouellette Avenue in Windsor.

Those attending the launch receive a copy of the new book, one drink ticket, appetizers and a small thank you gift. Advance tickets are available for $30 online through: Eventbrite.ca.

As well $1 from every ticket sold will be donated to The Welcome Centre Shelter for Women and a large raffle plus a used/ donated book drive ($2 per book) will raise additional funds.

Please bring any books that you have to donate to the event or contact Sadai in advance for free pick-up by emailing: jennsadai19@gmail.com.

Pick up your copy of “No Kids Required” at Story Tellers Bookstore, 1473 Ottawa Street, Windsor and at Indigo in St. Clair Beach.

Marlene Markham-Gay is the former host of CFTV’s “Storyteller.” She promotes local authors through the book corner at the Essex Railway Station, inviting them to display and sell books.

Marlene is an avid reader and encourages her eight grandchildren to read.

THE WAY IT WAS

A Century Of Service

By Andrea Grimes

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eptember 10, 1939. Canada entered the world stage by declaring war on Germany. It didn’t take long for our young lads from Windsor and Essex County to rally to the colours, much the same as what their grandfathers did in the Great War! WWII was a time of uncertainty, of doing more with less, of caring for one another when days and nights were filled with anxiety. These feelings continuously took a toll on families and many were at a loss wondering how they were ever going to survive but, they did!

During those years of hard times, many of Windsor’s leading city fathers founded charitable organizations to provide strong leadership, social care and support for humanitarian relief. Such was the case of The Rotary Club of Windsor (1918).

According to an article appearing in The Evening Record on September 13, 1918, a group of prominent businessmen (Clarence H. Smith, Dr. John G. Coleridge, Alexander Peddie and Harry J. Neal) established the Border Cities Rotary Club Walkerville, Sandwich and Ford City during a meeting with the Chamber of Commerce.

At that September meeting, Neal was appointed the Club’s first President.

Since its inception, the Rotary Club of Windsor (1918) has been recognized for its distinguished reputation attracting thousands upon thousands of civic-minded citizens from all walks of life who rallied to the colours contributing to our community’s charitable missions and war work objectives.

Rotarians showed their mettle and overcame a number of financial challenges throughout the lean years of WWII. Armed with tenacity and vision, members deployed several charitable

Photo of HMCS Border Cities provided courtesy of Garry Weir, CD, PO1, RCN Radioman, (retired) and Navy historian: For Posterity’s Sake.

projects targeting war relief, notably funding mobile canteens in England and organizing the collection and delivery of comfort parcels to our lads serving overseas.

According to the Club’s archives, “Windsor Rotarians supported HMCS HUNTER Naval Reserve during WWII with the naming of an Algerine-class minesweeper. Windsor’s Mayor Arthur J. Reaume suggested naming the ship, HMCS Border Cities for the adjoining border cities of East Windsor, Walkerville, Windsor and Sandwich.”

The archives further notes, “If the suggestion name were accepted, the Club would be prepared to adopt the ship and provide comforts to the ship’s company by way of a ward room to the extent of $500 initial expenditure and $250 annually for the duration of the war.”

After being commissioned at Port Arthur on May 18, 1944, the HMCS Border Cities made its way through Lake St. Clair and docked alongside the Hiram Walker distillery in Walkerville on May 23, 1944.

An article appearing in The Windsor Daily Star dated May 23, 1944 written by the newspaper’s reporter, Don Brown states, “The commemorative welcome was attended by many of Windsor’s civic leaders. It was the pride of Greater Windsor to adopt the ship and its crew of 83. The bunking quarters and mess rooms are ultra-modern in design and the sick bay would be the pride of any medical men.”

The strength of the Rotary family identifies core values and creates positive and sustainable impact on communities globally! This Rotarian culture has evoked the image of working for the service of mankind — always rolling — always in the right direction, hence its symbol, “the Wheel” which universally identifies Rotary and its diverse members.

According to Colleen Mitchell, President of the Rotary Club of Windsor (1918), “The Rotary Club of Windsor (1918) celebrates 100 years of service to our community with a number of events taking place throughout 2018.

Rotarians from the four corners of the world will be in Windsor to commemorate the Club’s centennial in May.” (see details at the end of this article) In turning the pages of the Club’s distinguished history, each chapter will recognize a 100 year tradition of “service above self” — exemplifying the legacy of the Rotary’s four-way test. Is it the TRUTH? Is it FAIR to all concerned? Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

IMPORTANT ROTARY EVENTS - MAY 2018

May 12: “A Century of Service,” a familycentred ceremony for the opening of the Rotary Club of Windsor (1918) Centennial Plaza from 2 to 3 p.m. along Windsor’s waterfront (at the foot of the Civic Esplanade between Goyeau and McDougall Streets).

May 12: The “Rotary Club of Windsor (1918) Centennial Gala” at Caesars Augustus Ballroom starting at 5:30 p.m. Tickets $100.

For more information on both events view the website: Rotary1918.com; send an email: info@rotary1918.com or call 519-253-6382.

Enjoy the Private Club experience without the Private Club Price!

• No Initiation Fee • No Share purchase required • Locker Room Services Available • Variety of Membership Packages • Discounts for Joining as a Group • No Clubhouse Minimums • 25 Membership Openings • Exquisite Dining

For more information contact Marija Stojkoska, Marketing Director, phone 519.736.8623 ext 14 or email Marija@pointewestgolf.com

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OF THE MONTH

Story And Photo By Dave Hall

Comfort Mobility Inc. Home Health Care . . .

Helping People Live In Their Comfort Zone

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or the Fase family, helping at the mall if I can adjust their people with their mobility wheelchair for them if I see it needs is a profession they had needs it.” followed with a passion for Equipment is available for almost 20 years. purchase or rent depending They were originally owners upon the length of time it of another business in the same might be needed. industry but now Julie and For long-term usage, Jessica John Fase, daughter Jessica believes that purchasing Fase-Senay and son Jonathan equipment would be the most Fase are Owners/Operators cost-effective option. of Comfort Mobility Inc. Comfort Mobility accepts Home Health Care which secondary-funding payments they established in April from Blue Cross, Green 2014 at 2707 Temple Drive in Shield, Veterans’ Affairs, Office Administration/Rental Coordinator Linda Iv, standing, and Customer Service Manager, Windsor.

Ontario Disability Support Office Admin and Purchasing Manager Jessica Fase Senay, pose with some of Comfort Mobility’s “We decided to move on equipment at the company’s showroom and service centre on Temple Drive.

Program and the Workplace when the previous business Safety and Insurance Board. was consolidated before being sold because “The bulk of our business comes from All wheelchairs are custom-fit to the we had become used to operating in a certain long-term care homes when we’re called individual and it can take as long as a way and we wanted to continue doing so,” in by a therapist to consult on a particular month for all the custom components explains Julie. “It was a huge leap of faith person’s needs,” Jessica informs Biz X. to be delivered before the wheelchair because we were essentially competing “One of the challenges is that certain is assembled in Comfort Mobility’s against ourselves after developing a loyal businesses have preferred vendor status but service centre. customer base at our former business.” the client has the right to choose whichever And while the client waits for delivery, There’s also a certain risk involved vendor they wish.”

Comfort Mobility provides temporary in establishing a business providing With prices and equipment set and solutions free of charge. All rental wheelchairs, scooters, bath chairs, grab approved by the provincial government, equipment is fully serviced when returned bars, stairlifts and rollators to people with the tie-breaker in this sector is customer and completely sanitized before being mobility issues. service. rented to another client.

Before opening the doors to any such And the Fase family believes this The business is also participating in business, operators have to have everything reason sets their company apart from the this year’s 36th annual “Windsor Home & in place before going through the provincial competition.

Garden Show” the weekend of April 6 to Ministry of Health’s assisted devices With two registered nurses on its sales 8 at the Central Park Athletic Centre by program. staff including John Fase, Comfort Mobility making wheelchairs and walkers available “We were approved but it was a hefty has the expertise to match equipment to those who need help at the show. investment before we could even apply devices with specific client needs.

“We attended for a few years as vendors to the program,” Julie states. “It’s a very Julie indicates they are “also committed but it’s not really our customer base,” regulated industry — and it should be — but to helping clients stay in their own homes as explains Julie. “But we saw some people it can be daunting when you are launching a much as possible because that’s where they who needed assistance and we started new business.” are happiest and most comfortable most of providing wheelchairs and walkers and But with sales doubling every year since it the time.” we’re still doing it.” opened, Comfort Mobility is on a comfortable Jessica adds that it’s a joy to help others For more information on their products footing in a competitive health-care sector. and “I have also been known to ask people and services, visit: ComfortMobility.ca.

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Bienvenue

‫أﻫﻼ ﺑﻚ‬

Bienvenida

歡迎光臨 Welcome

Welcome to Windsor

Come and visit us at any of our locations

We assist newcomers to Canada

City of Windsor 660 Ouellette Ave. Windsor, Ontario N9A 1C1 Tel: 519-258-4076 Fax: 519-258-9953

NCCE Inc. Midtown Branch 1214 Ottawa St., Suite 300 Windsor, Ontario N8X 2E6 Tel: 519-419-5461 Fax: 519-968-2405

NCCE Inc. Youth Resource Centre 654 Ouellette Ave. Windsor, Ontario N9A 1C1 Tel: 519-258-4076 Fax: 519-258-9953

NCCE Inc. Newcomer Reception Centre 443C Ouellette Ave. Windsor, Ontario N9A 4J2 Tel: 519-985-6333 Fax: 519-985-6393

NCCE Inc. Main Site

• Language & Labour Market Training • Settlement & Orientation Services • Childrens’ Program and Services • Employment Services • Youth Resources Centres

www.ncceinc.org

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

NCCE Inc. Windsor-West Branch 3235 Sandwich St. Windsor, Ontario N9C 1A9 Tel: 519-254-2001 Fax: 519-254-7882

Immigration, Réfugiés et Citoyenneté Canada B IZ X M A G A Z IN E • A P R IL 2 0 1 8

Municipality of Leamington NCCE Inc. Leamington Branch 24 Oak St., East, Unit 7 Leamington, Ontario N8H 2C2 Tel: 519-326-6224 Fax: 519-326-9739

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